Abstract
This IDC study examines the U.S. market for IP telephony equipment by vertical industry. The IP
PBX and IP phone markets face competition from not only incumbent PBX and key system installations
but an overall migration to wireless and slowing of the voice services market. Vendors and service
providers competing in this market are challenged to identify vertical market opportunities and
cultivate best practices to address industry-specific demands. In this study, IDC analyzes each of
16 vertical markets and four company size categories, providing market size and growth over the
five-year forecast period, a discussion of current trends, and an indication of which trends will
drive IP telephony equipment adoption by vertical market in the future.
"The IP telephony equipment market opportunity by vertical industry is dependent on both the
quantity of spending and the rate of growth. The communications/media and government industries are
the largest consumers of IP telephony equipment, but sheer size is not indicative of the entire
opportunity. The rate at which that market will grow over the forecast period implies the potential
rate of return on market investment. IDC anticipates that the highest levels of growth will be found
within the other financial services, retail trade, and government industries." - Dan Corsetti,
IDC senior analyst, Vertical Markets