Valuing Hosted VoIP services in the enterprise market: case application using real options

摘要

The objective of this paper is to apply real options techniques to justify the replacements of a Centrex and PBX voice solution for a new Hosted VoIP solution. Qualitative and quantitative (real options) approaches are used to compare the Centrex and PBX based solution currently deployed by the traditional voice carriers, with the one currently being developed and deployed by the VoIP providers. Potential savings in hardware cost, provisioning, billing, maintenance and service with new feature sets created as a result of converging voice on a data platform using the Internet Protocol (IP) are investigated. Based on the technological merits and the real options analysis, it is seen that a Hosted VoIP solution is the most effective solution for a company engaged in acquiring a new telecommunications solution.