That is the conclusion of a new study produced by Research and Markets, which found that the sector has recorded steady growth in 2009, in spite of the worldwide recession.

 

Its Global VoIP Overview & Statistics report revealed that the US, Japan and China are three of the biggest markets for making voice calls over the internet, with the need to cut costs being cited as the main reason why businesses are turning to the technology.

 

Europe was found to be the "prime innovator" of VoIP technology, with companies pioneering the offer of stand-alone, bundled or so-called 'triple-play' offerings to enterprises.

 

However, the research firm noted that the issue of "security and reliability concerns" still needs to be resolved, while one of the other main challenges for the industry will be "establishing the extent to which it can and should be regulated".

 

Ofcom recently released a survey showing that the proportion of people using VoIP technology to make calls has increased.

 

Figures produced by the regulatory body showed that, as of May 2008, 21 per cent of web users had a VoIP account, up from 14 per cent in the same month the previous year.