Welcome to convergence: surviving the next platform change [Internet protocol]

This article discusses the convergence of three components into an infrastructure based on the Internet protocol: voice, data, and wireless. In simple form, the converged Internet protocol (IP) platform has the three layers. At the bottom is the IP networks layer, which focuses on the secure, reliable, and efficient movement of bits using a variety of wireline and wireless networks residing in user and service provider (carrier) premises. The enterprise services layer uses the network and enables the applications. The applications layer provides business functions to the user by combining the underlying layers. Voice, data, and Internet on one platform threaten chaos, but those who keep cool and keep moving makes it.