The financial meltdown which is particularly more severe in the western world is pinching enterprise communication vendors as the UK market for PBX and IP-PBX products witnessed a drastic fall in volumes.

For market for PBX with less than 100 extensions, the drop was 40 % while for more than 100 extensions the drop was 34 % on a y-o-y comparison. The total market declined by 38 % managing to record volumes of 496 thousand extensions.

In the below 100 extensions market, the most drastic fall was witnessed in the 11-30 extensions space with 44 % drop.

The findings which are part of a research by MZA says that UK market is heading for its worst performance in the PBX and IP-PBX market since 1998.

Companywise, Cisco emerged as the market leader with a 17 % market share closely followed by Avaya. Mitel Networks assumed the number 3 position with 15 % market share. In less than 100 extensions market, Avaya attained the leadership position followed by Nortel. In above 100 extensions market, Cisco turned out to be number 01 followed by Avaya.

Additionally the UK market is gradually adopting IP-PBX with over 48 % of total extensions deployed being IP as compared to 42 % in Q1 2008. IP penetration is more dominant in the above 100 extensions market with IP extensions accounting for 70 % of pie as compared to 30 % witnessed in case of market for below 100 extensions. Cisco and Mitel Networks rule this space in the UK.