BT has launched BT Broadband Voice, a voice-over-IP service
that provides remote workers with calls from overseas at UK
rates.
BT general manager for access products Dave Axam said the company
would make more announcements in early 2004 offering VoIP in
conjunction with video, instant messaging and other PC-based
features.
Mark Main, senior analyst at Ovum, said, "Quality and reliability
are yet to be resolved, but we will see more players entering the
market. VoIP is already beginning to take off in the US, where
providers are offering flat-rate unlimited calls and cheap
international calls.
"What stands in the way of widespread take off in the UK and Europe
is the fragmentation of the market and the lower penetration of
broadband."
