Verizon Global Wireless announced that its customers used 200 percent more VoIP time in 2009 than in the previous year. "Since we launched our VoIP portfolio 10 years ago, we’ve seen steady growth reflecting customer desire for reliable, cost-effective IP voice services," said Mike Millegan, president of Verizon Global Wholesale, in a statement. “And, as this market grows, we continue to add new VoIP services while enhancing our existing portfolio.”

Verizon has added new applications such as short-duration calling systems for call centers and mass notification systems. The company also announced plans to add a more robust VoIP network interfaces in Europe later this year.

Also by the end of the year, Verizon expects to offer a VoIP-based feature that will enable its users to dispense with paper invoices and instead receive electronic invoices with call details included on them.

Verizon Wireless has forged a close relationship with Skype, the independent VoIP pacesetter, over the past few years.

Millegan attributed much of Verizon’s progress with VoIP to its cooperation with industry standards and committees, both in the U.S. and overseas. "Verizon’s work with standards bodies is important behind-the-scenes work," Millegan said. "Without standards agreement, acceptance of new technologies and features is slowed."

Edited by Alice Straight.