Fixed & mobile convergence: A new approach

In recent years, fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) has gathered much interest in the telecommunications industry. FMC is expected to offer benefits for network and service operators as well as end-users. Integrated operators (who own both fixed and mobile networks), are keen to exploit these benefits in order to save costs and generate new revenues. However, such operators are also faced with the challenge of identifying an appropriate roadmap for FMC migration in order to prevent substitution effects or conflict of interest among their own fixed and network operations. IP-based Quality of Service is recognized as a vital component for the success of a multiservice, IP-based and converged network. Convergence will appear at different levels such as user terminal, backbone network technology, tariffs and even at business or commercial levels.