VoIP can lead to ''considerable savings''

Installing VoIP has the potential to save businesses large amounts of money, an expert believes.

VoIP systems have the potential to save companies money, an expert has claimed, which may lead to a rise in IT contractors being required to install them.

Trefor Davies, council member at the Internet Telephony Services Providers' Association (Itspa), explained that one of the biggest savings is the cost of line rental.

"Of course they still need to pay for the bearer, i.e. the underlying broadband connection or Ethernet line that carries the VoIP calls, but these are often already in situ," he commented.

Mr Davies highlighted that another advantage of VoIP is that the company sites are free of charge, which can lead to massive savings for firms operating from overseas.

There are further advantages aside from cost, such as the ability of VoIP users to move between offices while taking their phone number with them, which can have benefits for those working from home.