In the last year, interest in phones that combine cellular and VoIP using WLAN technology has grown at a fevered pitch, according to consumer surveys by In-Stat -- A large percentage, 84.6%, of respondents in a new survey were at least somewhat interested in the prospect of using a VoWLAN/Cellular phone, and exactly half of these respondents were very interested or extremely interested in the prospects of such a phone. The survey uncovered the following key points: Better in-building coverage and the prospect of being able to make unlimited local calls while at home had the biggest importance. PBX-type features and the need to only carry one phone at work, home, or elsewhere received very positive responses, but nowhere as high as free local calling at home or better in-building coverage. The survey gives some credence to the ability of cellular carriers to potentially further displace wire-line carriers.
The world of eCommerce payments has evolved. As we look toward the latter half of this decade, we're witnessing a transformation in how digital commerce operates, with a clear shift toward localized payment solutions within a global marketplace. The numbers tell a compelling story. According to Juniper Research's latest analysis, global eCommerce transactions are set to reach $11.4 trillion by 2029, marking a 63 percent increase from $7 trillion in 2024. This growth isn't just about volume – it's about fundamental changes in how people pay for goods and services online. Perhaps most striking is the projected dominance of Alternative Payment Methods (APMs), which are expected to account for 69 percent of global transactions by 2029, with 360 billion transactions processed through these channels. eCommerce Payments Market Development What makes this shift particularly interesting is how it reflects the democratization of digital commerce. Traditional card-based systems ar...