In-Stat has published some interesting research today about cable VOIP. In
particular, it contends that of the 11.8 million global cable telephony
subscribers, more than 95% are using circuit-switch technology. A good
example in Halifax-based Eastlink Communications, Canada's seventh-largest
cableco in Canada, which has been offering cable telephony using traditional
circuit-switched technology over coaxial cable since 1999.
In-Stat forecasts the number of cable telephony customers will climb to 14
million later this year and more than 22 million by the end of 2008.
"The use of advanced IP voice technologies is beginning to attract more
cable operators to the idea of delivering voice services," In-Stat analyst
Mike Paxton said. "Indeed, the buzz surrounding VoIP telephony services has
been constant during the past year, and virtually all leading North American
cable operators are either investing resources to further explore VoIP's
viability, or have actually deployed the service."
While cable telephony is somewhat vibrant in the U.S. with Cablevision's
leading the charge, the market in Canada - other than Eastlink - has been
fairly quiet. This will change dramatically later this year when Videotron,
Rogers and Shaw jump into the market.