The UK PBX and IP PBX market (including Micro PBX products) slumped 24 per cent in Q3 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 (reaching just under 567, 000 extensions), but despite this double digit decline, the percentage change on a sequential quarterly basis reveals a different picture, finds MZA in its latest quarterly report.

According to MZA, it all began in Q4 2008 when sales in the quarter dropped by 21 per cent compared to Q3 2008. In Q1 2009, volumes dropped to some of the lowest seen as the market shrank by a further 15 per cent in comparison to Q4 2008. Then, in Q2 2009, an increase of seven per cent was measured against Q1 2009. This has been repeated again in Q3 2009, as the market grew by a further seven per cent.

In the period July to September, figures revealed that the below 100 extensions segment was hardest hit, with volumes down by 26 per cent compared to Q3 2008. Some of the worst performances came in the smallest size segments, with the 11 to 50 extensions market shrinking by more than 30 per cent. The 51 to 100 extensions market, on the other hand, dropped by a more modest five per cent in comparison to the same quarter in 2008. Again, the sequential picture is different for the overall below 100 extensions market. The greatest decrease came in Q4 2008 when the market fell by 27 per cent in comparison to Q3 2008. It then continued to decline by 15 per cent in Q1 2009 before registering growth of 12 per cent (Q2 2009), and then a further seven per cent in Q3 2009.

Meanwhile, notes MZA in its UK Quarterly Corded PBX and IP PBX Report, the above 100 extensions market recorded a decrease of 21 per cent in Q3 2009 compared to Q3 2008. The mid-market segments proved the most resilient with the 101 to 1000 market segments falling by an average of 15 per cent against Q3 2008. This is now the second consecutive quarter of growth registered in the UK market in the above 100 extensions space.

Mitel Networks led the UK PBX market in Q3 2009, with an 18 per cent total market share. Avaya came in close to claim second position with 17 per cent. Meanwhile, Cisco was in third position with a 15 per cent market share during the period. Avaya led the below 100 extensions market, followed by Mitel Networks. In the above 100 extensions market, Cisco retained its leadership position as Mitel Networks moved into second position.

IP extensions market
In Q3 2009, 53 per cent of extensions deployed at the desktop in the UK were IP, compared to 49 per cent in Q2 2009 and Q1 2009. This is the first time that more than half of extensions deployed in the UK have been IP. IP penetration continued to grow in the below 100 extensions segment, despite the volume of IP extensions remaining flat compared to Q3 2008. It reached 32 per cent in Q3 2009 compared to 24 per cent in Q3 2008. In the above 100 extensions market, IP extensions increased from a 73 per cent penetration rate into total extensions in Q3 2008 to 78 per cent in Q3 2009. Cisco and Mitel Networks led in this space, representing shares of 27 per cent and 25 per cent respectively.