Internet phone calls big in 2006

More and more people are planning to sign up to services that let you make phone calls over the internet, according to new research.

A study by Wanadoo predicts that VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology will be the ‘must have’ service in 2006, with 10 million Brits expected to sign up.

More than half of web users in the UK will make phone calls via the net by 2010, the study claims.

According to Wanadoo’s figures, VoIP will be the most popular among people in their fifties with 25 per cent expected to embrace the new technology.

Wanadoo also predicts that 32 per cent of Scottish internet users will use the internet to call their friends and relatives.

Philip Mehl, Wanadoo's UK managing director of sales and communications, said: “Every year has its iconic gadgets and technology, in 1986, it was the car phone and 1996 was the web. With VoIP calls trend set to continue into 2006, Brits need look no further for the latest technology must-have.”