AMI Research has announced its latest research finding that shows the total U.S. audio and Web conferencing market hit $1.5 billion in 2009.

According to the new report, "Audio and Web Conferencing: Usage, Spending, Distribution, Market and Growth," Web conferencing is also expected to drive spending over the next five years, boasting a 22 percent CAGR, while audio conferencing is also expected to grow a modest 4 percent YOY.

In addition, the report indicates the total market for audio and Web conferencing will grow at a five-year CAGR of 12 percent to $2.7 billion in 2014.

Karen Nielsen, senior consultant at AMI-Partners said audio conferencing tends to be more widely installed than Web conferencing by SMBs.

Also, Nielsen said that the SB market with under 100 employees, leads the growth in conferencing spending.

Key drivers and motivators to support audio and Web conferencing adoption include greater interest in OPEX (News - Alert) savings, productivity improvements, mobility/telecommuting; and convenient collaborative communications.

As UC continues to grow in the SMB space, AMI announced it plans to publish several related studies, including Video Conferencing, Hosted VoIP, CPE-IP-PBX (News - Alert) Adoption Market Opportunity & Outlook and Smart Phones and Mobile Applications.