As with the consumer VoIP market, we’re predicting another big year in 2007 for business VoIP service.  Here are our top five trends and concerns to be on the lookout for this year (in no particular order):

1. Comfort, Adoption Levels Increase

Past surveys have found that businesses are enthusiastic about the benefits of VoIP and most are considering making the switch.  VoIP service providers have had a chance to mature and the technology has proven to be flexible, reliable, and help companies save money.  In 2007 we’ll see robust and increasing growth in business’s adoption of VoIP, as executives move from being curious about IP telephony to adopting it.

2. Security Concerns Grow

Unfortunately, security concerns follow closely behind the mass adoption of technology.  Landlines, while not impenetrable to those with the means, are much more secure than VoIP: physical access to the lines is generally necessary, switches are protected by strong physical security measures, and so on.  VoIP phone calls, on the other hand, are routed over the Internet.  Attacks, from wiretaps to denial of service can be carried out by hackers, unscrupulous competitors and others from anywhere in the world.  As VoIP service is more heavily used, we’ll see more attempts to eavesdrop, shut down companies’ communications, or general disruptions like viruses and worms.  VoIP security is not doomed to fail, but investment will need to be made.

3. Mobile VoIP Becomes a Reality (mVoIP)

Business VoIP will go WiFi.  The large and increasing number of mobile or WiFi VoIP companies, wireless handsets and applications for cellular / GSM phones will help business VoIP go high tech.  Despite advances in videoconferencing and other collaborative tools, international business travel is still important, and mobile VoIP will offer companies significant telecommunications cost savings and productivity gains conveniently.

4. Further Consolidation Coming

Like we predicted in consumer or residential VoIP services, we’re going to see some consolidation in business VoIP.  VoIP providers, equipment makers and solutions vendors have been rushing into the market, but even with continued growth in the market, not all of them will last.  Some players will drop out, others will merge or be acquired by a major player (see the company in the next prediction as a possible buyer) or merge vertically to become integrated VoIP solutions providers.

5. Microsoft Becomes Major VoIP Player

Finally, Microsoft will make a big VoIP technology push this year with VoIP integrations into Windows Vista and the release of its Office Communications Server.  With deep pockets it can afford to buy its way into the business VoIP market through aggressive marketing of its own in-house systems, strategic partnerships or by buying a key player.  MS has never been shy before, and we see no reason to expect it to be with VoIP in 2007; existing firms beware.

Once again, these are only our humble opinions.  Agree or disagree?  Post your comments!