An Analysis of Fixed-Mobile Communications Convergence: Development, Social Benefits and Markets

In recent years, global mobile telephony has experienced a spectacular growth never presented in the long history of fixed network based communications. The International Telecommunications Union indicated that, in 2002, the number of mobile subscribers surpassed the number of fixed main lines in service for the first time. This mobile service adoption growth might suppose that the mobile telephone original role as a luxury complementary voice service has turned into an attractive alternative to fixed service. This means currently not only voice, but increasingly data services, i.e., broadband. At the same time, a number of fixed network operators are developing the required strategies (and technologies) to compete for mobile users, offering broadband service and applications for them. In this article, the fixed-mobile convergence process is presented, analyzing the role of mobile and wireless communications to foster access and broadband deployment, particularly in development countries. In this context, authors define a path to achieve social cohesion objectives by means of combined policy of public intervention andprivate sector action.