Fixed-mobile convergence strategy: technologies and market opportunities

Competition in the telecommunications market is growing rapidly. Therefore, network operators and service providers have to reform their marketing and service delivery strategies in order to be competitive in the broadband service market. A convergence strategy for fixed and mobile services via a standards-based IN platform may provide a step in the right direction. This article deals with evolutionary steps for convergence services and their benefits to network operators and customers. It presents possible migration paths from the existing GSM to UMTS. The article also provides a comparative analysis of the wireless technologies involved in this evolution.