Report: Enterprise-Telephony Market Slow, But IP PBX Shipments Fast

Even with a mature enterprise-telephony market, worldwide PBX line shipments increased 10 percent in the third quarter and rose 16 percent from a year ago, according to a report released Wednesday by Infonetics Research.

"The enterprise telephony market is mature, and with the exception of IP and hybrid PBXes, growth has been muted over the past few years," said Matthias Machowinski, directing analyst, enterprise voice and data, in a statement. "In 2003, revenue increased only 3 percent and line shipments 6 percent. The way 2004 is shaping up, the PBX market is poised for double-digit year-over-year growth."

Machowinski said worldwide PBX revenue reached $1.5 billion in the third quarter, with IP PBX shipments expected to outpace the overall market going forward.

He noted that Alcatel leads the worldwide market in IP PBX revenue, while Avaya is in the lead in the North American market. IP PBX shipments currently account for 10 percent of the total PBX line shipments, with 44 percent of the total revenue coming from North American sales, Infonetics said.