A Convergence Criteria Model of Client-Side Application-Layer Convergence Towards Fixed-Mobile Convergence

The fixed-mobile convergence is a hot topic in the telecommunication industry. The business models and technical details at the network layer have been discussed in the emerging service domain. However, the current fixed- mobile convergence is difficult to capture without considering application layer issues. The author discusses application layer issues in fixed-mobile convergence from the viewpoint of application-layer software engineering. The author presents an evolution model and existing gap-filling mechanisms in mobile-PC convergence at the application layer. Then, the author compares approaches from the perspective of rich Internet applications. The current technology lacks criteria for identifying an appropriate method for convergence. The author proposes a convergence criteria model to cope with this issue.