Abstract
“There is widespread uncertainty about what FMC is and how important it
will be. In this report, we establish what FMC really means and its likely
impact. We identify the strengths and weaknesses of current approaches and
provide practical advice on how to achieve major benefits from FMC without
significant cost or risk.”
Dr Mark Heath, Analysys Associate
Fixed- mobile convergence (FMC) has been the subject of substantial hype and
confusion in the telecoms industry for many years, yet it has had relatively
little impact to date. This report examines the reality of FMC today and
assesses its true potential. The report covers a wide variety of FMC
initiatives, including integrated pricing plans and distribution, dual-mode
handsets and services (for example based on UMA) and full network integration.
The report considers the factors that will determine the success of FMC and
identifies which (if any) of the current FMC initiatives will succeed. The
report identifies the most appropriate strategies for different types of
network operators.
How to Succeed with Fixed- Mobile Convergence answers your key questions:
- What is FMC, and what are its different forms?
- Is there a future for dual-mode handsets, for example based on UMA? What
are the strengths and weaknesses of early commercial services and will future
developments increase the chance of success?
- What is meant by network convergence and when (if ever) should network
operators evolve to converged all-IP networks based on IMS?
- What are the most effective network convergence steps that operators can
take in the short term?
- How can integrated pricing plans be used to achieve the benefits of FMC
without undertaking major network developments?
Who should read this report
- Mobile-only, fixed-only and integrated network operators: senior
executives, product managers and technology executives, to understand the
importance of different types of FMC and the benefits they can bring to
network operators and their customers.
- Handset and network equipment vendors: senior executives,
technology strategists and product developers, to assess the realistic
potential for dual-mode handset solutions, for example based on UMA, and
network convergence.
- Content and application providers: senior executives and product
managers, to understand the opportunities presented by integrating the pricing
plans of fixed and mobile services.
- Regulators: to identify emerging trends in FMC and the implications
for customers and different types of network operator.
- Investors: to understand the likely successes and failures in FMC
and the strategies that different types of organisations should be adopting
with FMC.
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