The promise of simpler network management with voice and data on a single platform also presents issues for IT staff. "There is still a shortage of skills in this area as most communications experts are in voice or data," cautioned Ho. "Not many individuals can manage both traffic types on an IP network." He added that the situation is improving, but as demand for IPT skills goes up, users should expect the price of such skills to rise too. "Most will look to retrain and tool up existing staff rather than recruit from outside," said Ho.

According to the most recent forecast from IDC, IPT will outperform traditional telephony and become more mainstream in Hong Kong during 2007. Li also predicts that unified communications will be better understood and more well-defined in 2007, and she noted that higher broadband penetration will enable more remote workers, consequentially driving IPT mobility integration. "Higher bandwidth will also support growth in video conferencing," she concluded.