11 mln VOIP users globally, 7.2 mln in Japan, 2.1 mln in the US

Point Topic estimates that over 11 mln people were using a retail voice over IP service for at least some of their telephone calls at the end of March 2005. That's an increase from just over 5 mln at mid-2004. Of these 11 mln, well over half, 7.2 mln, are in Japan. Yahoo Softbank provides the majority of these services, and they come bundled with the broadband subscription. Users need to retain their standard line and pay line rental. After Japan, the American cable sector is numerically the most important VoIP sector, with around 2.1 mln subscribers.