FMC: The Convergence of Networks, Devices and Services

As communications services are evolving, users are increasingly faced with a confusion of devices, subscriptions and numbers. Consumers are growing to expect ubiquitous, constant connectivity and access to all manner of information applications. Service providers, large and small, must simultaneously find ways to offset the declines in traditional sources of revenues while drive top-line growth. Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) solutions are promising to offers advantages for both consumers and service providers and is gaining momentum in the marketplace as operators are realizing the market opportunities for creating new revenue-generating services. FMC solutions are promising to deliver the long awaited hand off of calls/calling features between wire-line and wireless networks. This article first defines the concept of FMC and it then several prominent concepts in the fixed mobile-convergence are analyzed. The article l addresses the business model, architecture, competitive and technological issues and summarizes the progress being made toward this network evolution.