Authors include: - Connect-World

Mobile convergence
1xEV-DO handsets and cellular gateways
are already available to operators.Thestandardisevolvingandthe
next release termed ‘EV-DO Rev A’,
that will commence carrier testing in
2006, will enhance quality of service
for low latency applications such as
Push-to-X services, instant messaging,fullmultimediacontentandinteractive
gaming. HSDPA trials are
underway now with networks in
Europe planning launches this year,
withmomentumbuildingin2006/7.
WiMAXequipmentiscurrentlybeing
installed to lower the cost of fixed
backhaul services. Trials are now
starting for the next generation of
WiMAXstandardstermed‘revisionE’,
thatwillextendthetechnologytosupport
data and voice mobility.
Commercialmarketlaunchisexpectedin2006/07.Theseservicescanbe
extendedbeyondthehomeandenterpriseasmobiledevicesthatarecompliant
with ‘revision E’ standards for
transmission equipment become
availablein2007andbeyond.
Thelaunchofnewhigh-speedservices
will gather pace over the next 12-18
months.Interestwillbedrivenbyconsumer
demand, demonstrated by
fixed-line broadband, for high-speed
dataservicesandthemotivatingeffect
ofcompetition.
Businessplanning
Attheheartofconcernsoverconvergenceliesflexibility.Theeaseofprovisioning
high-speed wireless networks
removes the traditional boundaries
thatrequireacustomertohavedifferentcontractsformobile,ISPandlandline
services. This development will
havealiberatingeffectonthemarket
– there is no doubt that competition
willencouragecompaniestoinvestin
newtechnologiestoprotectandgrow
subscribernumbers.
NewVoIPcompaniesareaconcernfor
traditional networks but it’s unlikely
that any one sector of the telecoms
market will secure clear dominance.
However, success can be achieved
throughastuteassessmentsofservice
requirements, coupled with flexible
servicepackagesandtariffs.Atthetop
endofthescalewillbeaservicelevel
thatprovides‘onenumber’communicationsencompassingallacustomer’s
requirements.
Individual products can also be marketed,
from broadband through to
voiceoverIPandmobilepackages.It
is likely that major fixed and mobile
brandswithlargenumbersofexisting
subscriberswillpushhardtoprovide
‘one number’ services. This will
become a highly competitive front as
thenewhigh-speeddatatechnologies
comeon-stream.
Constructivedevelopments
Convergenceisdramaticallychanging
thetelecomsmarketandmobile,fixed
andISPplayersfaceaperiodofuncertainty.
However, while it is understandable,
given the level of change,
that industry observers refer to the
‘destruction’ of traditional modes of
business. Astute risk assessment,
though,alongwithin-depthcustomer
profilingcanmitigateinvestmentrisk.
Moreover,asIPtechnologyprovidesa
modular investment option, companiescanscalequicklytomeetchanges
in service demand and to counter
competitoractivity.
It is a cliché that challenge brings
opportunity, but the statement certainlyappliestotechnicalconvergence
that, combined with the progress of
digitisation, brings unprecedented
opportunity for telecoms companies
to provide a new product that consumers
have already shown they are
keen to utilise. Indeed, networks can
create new ways to deepen customer
loyalty,attractnewcustomers,reduce
churnandrealisenewsourcesofrevenue.
Convergence provides creative freedomforcontentandmediaownersto
develop new ways to distribute their
products.Thisnewcycleofinnovation
may well exceed that achieved at the
startoftheInternetrevolution.
Convergence is also having a major
impactonsociety.Peoplewillcommunicate,
interact and collaborate on
personaldigitalcontentcustomisedto
personal preferences, location, circumstances
and availability. Vehicles
andtheiroccupantswillcommunicate
with the world they travel through
keeping them safe, informed and
entertained.
Convergence will also have a liberatingeffectonproductivityandefficiency.
Executives will access fully functioningmobileofficesthatprovidethe
sameuserexperienceasafixed,officebased,connection.Theywillbeableto
communicatewithcolleaguesthrough
voice, video and dedicated collaboration
applications that provide the
scopetoachievemoreinlesstime.Itis
alsohavingamajorimpactinstreamliningbusinessbysupportingubiqui-
tousaccesstodata,andbyintroducing
newwaystosense,monitorandcontrol
the physical world to enhance
supply chains and make manufacturingprocessesmoreefficient.
The impact of convergence suggests
that the ‘destruction’ of traditional
businessmodelsinthetelecomsmarketwillhavealiberatingeffect.Itconstructs
a new platform to create and
market products, attract and retain
customers, and apply technology to
transform the way people communicate
to make their lives easier. That,
after all, is the goal of technology
innovators.
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