It’s still too early to tell how the VoIP equipment market performed this past quarter, but iLocus says the VoIP equipment market grew substantially in Q4 2008.

According to their latest research which utilizes data from carriers, VoIP subscriber lines equipment saw quarter-over-quarter growth of 66%. That’s a hefty number in the face of economic fear, uncertainty and doubt.

These numbers don’t speak to the total VoIP equipment market, though one can imagine that if carriers are building out their infrastructures and new lines are being added, the market for premise based VoIP equipment grew in stride.

This is something that we’ve notice here at VoIP Supply. While the many an industry has struggled as has the VoIP industry, there is still strong interest and demand for VoIP system equipment.

And don’t be surprised if iLocus’ Q1 report shows more of the same. From what I’ve seen and heard Q1 wasn’t too bad to most in the VoIP equipment space.

iLocus (one of my favorite places to grab in-depth analysis of the VoIP markets) released some new figures yesterday on the VoIP market.

According to their research:

• Local VoIP minute usage grew by 7% from Q3 08 to Q4 08 (est 107. 2 billion minutes)
• International long distance (ILD) minutes showed a small pull-back in Q4 08 (est 22.5 billion minutes)
• National long distance (NLD) minutes showed a continued increase reaching an estimated total of 298.1 billion minutes

The growth in the local VoIP minute usage is likely attributed to the success of the cable companies with their digital home phone service offerings. While 7% wouldn’t wow anyone in a normal economic environment, given that most markets have lost 20 – 30% of the top in recent months, any growth is good.

iLocus attributes the decline in international long distance to consolidation in the wholesale ILD service provider space. One could also agrue that the economy is at play since people are likely cutting back on more costly ILD calls.

The steady growth in NLD VoIP minutes is attributed to the wireless carriers growing use of IP networks. Given that most VoIP providers (both consumer and business) have continued to grow in the face of the recession some of the total growth must be attributed to the migration to VoIP as a low cost alternative.

While Q408 wasn’t as stellar as many quarters in the past it was certainly better then what many other sectors can claim.

It’s hard being different.

For years Skype has been something different. A new kind of communications company. One that does all the things that a cutting-edge 2.0 new age telecommunications company should be doing.

But today it seems that they’ve come to the reality that sometimes you just have to be like everyone else.

The launch of Skype for SIP, a beta program that gives you Skype trunking functionality for your SIP based VoIP PBX systems, is big news for many in the industry.

Except isn’t this just a me-too trunking service? A way for businesses to take advantage of the economies offered by Skype’s peer-to-peer network.

Sorry folks. There is nothing big here except cheap minutes. The same thing that most in the industry detest hearing from VoIP providers.

Innovation and cutting edge doesn’t always pay the bills. Today we found out Skype knows this. And that’s why they’re once again going into minute stealer mode.

There is money in “plumbing.” Especially if yours is cheaper.

Get all of your Skype Hardware at VoIP Supply!