Worldwide VoIP Semiconductor 2009-2013 Forecast: Market Not Immune to Sobering Economic Developments

This IDC study examines the market for VoIP semiconductor products. A top-line forecast is provided and is further segmented by major application market for 2008-2013. The adoption of VoIP as a standalone technology has been hampered, especially since the business case for implementing this technology has not convinced potential customers that VoIP is worth any investment. Now, with an economy that has yet to find a bottom before any improvement occurs, that adoption is further hampered as service providers and enterprises face lower capital expenditure budgets during 2009 and possibly 2010. To increase the likelihood that VoIP will experience adoption rates once the economy turns around, semiconductor companies have built video support into their solutions. With the growing belief that demand for video services will fuel demand for networking equipment, VoIP proponents hope to convince OEM customers and end consumers that VoIP is a viable alternative for delivering some level of video service.

"VoIP has yet to capture a significant customer base that believes in the potential benefits of implementing this technology. Semiconductor companies have now integrated video support into their VoIP chipsets in light of the belief that video is a growth opportunity within the overall networking semiconductor market." - Aileen A. Arcilla, senior research analyst, Semiconductors: Networking, Broadband, and Storage Systems