FMC: A Driving Trend

The way in which people communicate has evolved tremendously in a relatively short space of time. Where just a few years ago the telephone answering machine was the greatest breakthrough to communications, today we are accessible anytime and anyplace - on the train, in our cars, at a restaurant, on the beach and even in another country. The mobile telephone has made such an impact on our current lifestyle, that most people have withdrawal symptoms without this little communications device. Added to this is the sophistication in technology and additional applications that makes mobile telephony increasingly attractive to the average consumer. Falling mobile rates and improved voice quality are drawing more and more people away from fixed-lines, possibly ensuring mobile phones as the preferred choice for voice communications. The Ovum Research Group reports that users are willing to substitute fixed with mobile calls but only at the right price. It makes sense that the lower the premium, the more calls users will make on their mobile network. This has led fixed operators fighting to lower rates of fixed calls in an effort to detract from the convenience and appeal of mobile.

The term 'Fixed-Mobile Convergence' (FMC) has been floating around for some ten years, with many confusing what FMC actually is. FMC is NOT a) a unified billing/CDR system between mobile operators and cable mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), b) a call-divert product between mobile and fixed networks or c) two different networks with dual registration, services and infrastructure.

Rather, Fixed Mobile Convergence may be defined as the means of providing the same services to both fixed and mobile users, irrespective of their location or access technology and terminals, while utilizing existing core network and back office systems. This means that the fixed-phone can provide all the services and benefits of mobile telephony such as a virtual private network, voicemail, SMS, multimedia messaging service, and address book. By the same token, the mobile phone is extended to the core network of fixed-telephony services such as ADSL, WiFi, WLAN or other broadband IP connections. FMC offers a wide variety of benefits such as one identity from one telephone number, the same services to both mobile and fixed subscribers, and new and customized intelligent network services.

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