Now Showing: French VoIP revolution

Anyone doubting the triple play revolution transforming global telecoms should look to France. Dutch-based Telecompaper reports VoIP line usage in France leaped 77.5 percent over the last year to reach nearly 22 percent of fixed-phone lines or 8.7 million lines in the second quarter of 2007, according to figures from the national regulator, Arcep.

VoIP call volumes also surged to account for 30.3 percent of overall telephony in the second quarter, up from 17.1 percent in the second quarter of last year. Incumbent France Telecom is leading the charge for change with its successful re-branding to Orange for its mobile, internet and television offerings.

The growth in VoIP is being driven by the French love of broadband and the related success of broadband-based triple-play services. Telecompaper reports the number of traditional phone lines fell by 7.3 percent in one year to 38.9 million at June 30 with a staggering 87.6 percent of the country's 16.1 million internet accesses now using broadband. Nearly 3 million new broadband customers came on board over the year.

For More:
- VoIP used by 22% of French fixed phone lines in Q2 Report

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