Abstract
Market Overview
Increased Need for Convergence and Dropping Bandwidth Prices Drive Growth of Unified Communication Solutions
The standardization of the use of Internet Protocol (IP) for communication
across varied networks has aided the deployment of unified communication (UC)
in enterprises as well as carrier ecosystems. The quest for convergence in
this space has shifted the focus from silo-based architecture to a unified
domain. "As a result of this paradigm shift, UC and its smaller version,
unified messaging (UM) helps stakeholders achieve an 'application cloud',
"notes the analyst of this study. "In the carrier space, UM and UC echo the
industry's efforts to re-discover a new 'killer application' that can cater to
bandwidth demand and justify carriers' heavy investments in networks since the
3G era."
In recent years, applications such as UM and UC have become increasingly
important due to the combined effect of increased capacity and falling
bandwidth prices. These trends have led to the increased commoditisation of
products as shown in the unified communications framework. One of the main
drivers for UM and UC, according to end users, is the increasing use of fixed
voice mail, e-mail and mobile communications. The proliferation of messages
from these disparate sources and the challenge of preventing message overload
have created a demand for applications that enable consumers and enterprises
to manage their messages more effectively.
The Manifold Benefits of IP Generate Demand for UC
Apart from end users' belief that unified communications create increased
productivity, improved relationships with customers and the ability to
prioritise all messages, from an operator's point of view, UM and UC
applications represent potential value-added services that they can offer to
end users. Market participants, particularly mobile operators, see unified
communications as a vital way of differentiating their services and preventing
customer churn. However, the major influence driving UM and UC awareness is
the momentum towards converged IP-based voice and data networks.
"Fixed and mobile operators, equipment vendors as well as enterprises have
reached a consensus that the long term platform for voice and data
communication is IP," explains the analyst. "This shift allows carriers to
offer UM and UC services aided by the momentum towards IP in mobile networks
that reinforces this trend." Hence, many service providers from both the fixed
and mobile domains have started using IP for IP multi-media subsystems (IMS),
wherein the core is IP.
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