Michael Gilfix Online

Fixed (to) Mobile Convergence (FMC) solution is a hot strategic item in today's telecommunications industry. Fixed Mobile Convergence refers to providing uninterrupted, continuous service while users switch between mobile and fixed line infrastructure access. The ability to offers converged fixed/mobile services is the key to conquering the increasing proliferation of 802.11 enabled mobile devices, hunger for high-bandwidth applications, ever-continuous demand of consumers for fair and efficient pricing, availability of communication services over plain old IP, etc. Basically, it's about enabling service delivery irrespective of location, access capability, and end device.

From a business perspective for the service provider, it's about keeping control of a customer's entire communication experience. The longer the service provider maintains control over that experience, the more revenue opportunity. While this may sound a bit alarming for the customer at first, the customer also stands to gain in terms of convenience through seamless service and more flexible pricing (typically, based on the economics of the access technology). Here are some observations along those lines:

• Emergence of 802.11 enabled devices: 802.11 is really only the tip of the iceberg, since WiMax and other larger area wireless technologies are on their way. This puts pressure on mobile operators and traditional fixed line providers, who now could be bypassed through pure data channels.