SPOTLIGHT: VoIP in India 'On The Runway'

If minor changes in regulation are made, VoIP in India could "take off in a big way" says Express Computer. According to Frost and Sullivan, sales of IP PBX systems grew by 65 percent in 2007 while IP telephony revenues were $209 million. Gartner says the acceptance and adoption of VoIP in India is increasing with the market showing "signs of maturity." Growth is relatively slow, however, when compared to other APAC markets, but the overall outlook is positive.

VoIP is expected to drive down costs for consumers and drive other services (web, audio, video conferencing) on the enterprise side. IP phone handset costs, regulatory restrictions, and the low penetration of broadband in India are cited as hindering factors to growth. Extended lifecycles may also play a role in hindering adoption, with products being typically used for 8 years in India as compared to 5 years in other countries.

For more:
- Read the Express Computer piece on VoIP in India

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