VoIP Adoption Within the US Education Segment

Although VoIP is still in the relatively early stages of adoption, US businesses are beginning to gravitate to preferred flavors of VoIP. The Education segment adoption trends generally reflect most US businesses, with larger businesses preferring IP PBX solutions, while smaller firms are quicker to adopt broadband-based VoIP solutions. However, businesses of all sizes are reluctant to rely upon VoIP exclusively for their voice communications needs.

This report examines the Education segment and US business VoIP deployments, planned deployments, current and planned service provider/vendors of VoIP, and how multiple solutions are often used to meet the voice needs of businesses. IP PBX, hosted IP, broadband IP telephony, and voice-enabled IM are all examined and the overall distribution of these options is also examined. The distribution of IP versus TDM voice lines among businesses that have adopted a VoIP solution is also explored.

Executive Summary

Data Collection

Definitions

Carrier-Provided VoIP Services

IP PBX

Broadband IP Telephony

Client-Based VoIP and Voice-Enabled IM

Current and Planned VoIP Deployments

Multiple Types of VoIP Solutions are Currently Used by US Businesses

In-House Solutions Driven by Integration, Not TCO

Carrier-Provided VoIP Services

IP PBX Preferred by Larger Businesses

The Role of Voice-Enabled IM

Implications

Related In-Stat Reports Summary

List of Tables

Table 1. Deployment Status of VoIP

Table 2. Type of VoIP Service Currently Deployed

Table 3. Type of VoIP Service Planned in Next 18 Months

Table 4. Three Most Important Factors in Justifying an In-House IP PBX

Table 5. Technical Area of Most Concern in Implementing an IP PBX

Table 6. Type of Current Carrier-Provided VoIP Service

Table 7. Type of Planned Carrier-Provided VoIP Service

Table 8. Hosted IP Centrex Service Providers

Table 9. Broadband IP Telephony Service Providers

Table 10. Deployment of New IP PBX vs. IP-Enabling Legacy PBXs

Table 11. Planned New IP PBX vs. IP-Enabling Legacy PBXs

Table 12. Long-Term Strategy for Deploying Telephones in an IP PBX Environment

Table 13. Current IP PBX Vendors

Table 14. Planned IP PBX Vendors

Table 15. The Role of SIP in the Selection of an IP PBX

Table 16. Use of IM for Business Purposes Among Employees

Table 17. Use of Voice-Enabled IM among IM Users

Table 18. IM Service Providers

List of Figures

Figure 1. Current Split Between TDM and IP Lines for All VoIP Users

Figure 2. Use of IP Exclusively Among All VoIP Users