One-half of all Internet households are interested in Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, which could deprive current long distance companies of their most profitable subscribers.

Interest in these services is disproportionately among subscribers with high monthly phone bills, and cost savings is the primary driver, according to Residential Voice-over-IP: Analysis & Forecasts, a new report from Dallas-based Parks Associates. Furthermore, interest in VoIP service is consistent among both broadband (52 percent) and narrowband (48 percent) households.

“Consumers are looking at VoIP service as a replacement for their primary phone line, not as a secondary backup,” John Barrett, a research analyst at Parks Associates, told TelecomWeb. “VoIP could also serve as a lure for new broadband subscribers, given the strong interest among narrowband households. The market is still searching for a 'killer' broadband application. Wouldn't it be ironic if it turned out to be telephone service?”

The survey conducted for Residential Voice-over-IP: Analysis & Forecasts sampled 3,300 households on VoIP services.

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