Companies boost budgets for mobile telecoms and IP

Mobile systems, telecoms security and IP are high priorities this year, according to a new survey

European firms are increasing the amount they spend on mobile telecoms, IP telephony and telecoms security, according to new research released today (4 September) by analyst firm Forrester.

In a survey of 301 telecoms decision-makers, over 40 percent said they will increase spending on SSL and IPSec security technology this year, and roughly half will increase spending on IP telephony.

The researchers also found that use of Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) IP virtual private networks (VPNs) has grown, to the point where well over half of firms have fully deployed such systems.

Forrester senior analyst Phil Sayer said the findings showed firms want to use telecoms to improve efficiency and service to customers.

"Wide-area MPLS data networks have now reached a level of maturity in the technology where they have become the automatic choice – there is no other sensible way to proceed," Sayer argued. "Voice over IP seems to have moved out of the experimental [phase]; service providers are now offering it as part of their mainstream product ranges."

Mobile products and services now account for a third of the telecoms and network budget, and many firms plan to spend more in this area this year. However, most companies’ mobile systems have not got beyond the stage of simple SMS alerts and personal information tools such as BlackBerrys, Sayer added.

The survey also found that over 60 percent of enterprises were evaluating or rolling out combined mobile and wireless LAN services to reduce roaming and voice costs.