Presenting Fixed Mobile Convergence

Fixed mobile convergence denotes how the distinctions between permanent line and cellular telecoms are reducing. Many, like the Fixed Mobile Convergence Alliance, think that sooner or later telephone carriers discrepancy between mobile and fixed services will disappear entirely, thus they will provide all services in one single package.



Why Fixed Mobile Convergence is Good For Consumers



To a degree, fixed mobile convergence is already transpiring. Some companies are offering free wireless services to consumers of their internet services. However, eventually, the FMCA desires to see the convergence taken a measure beyond this.



The goal is to present customers with a "seamless service" - imagine having the ability to shift a call from a fixed line to your mobile, without disturbance. Or for a Skype call to switch to your mobile in the same manner. This is the eventuality that carriers hope fixed mobile convergence will provide. Ultimately, the service of all suppliers would be agnostic, which means that your mobile can utilize any telecoms lines, irrespective of who your specific supplier is.



What's more, you would be able to give out one number, which would cause your mobile, land line, and voice-over-IP computer software to ring. You would have only one voicemail to be worried about, and you would be able to swap between devices as needed.



The Next Generation of Handsets



To correspond with these carrier side developments, a brand new era of handsets is becoming available. Named 'dual mode handsets' they can accommodate telephone calls using both mobile and wi-fi networks. Those using the telephone are not likely to note any big difference while using the phone. Many of these handsets obscure the session information from the user, and switch faultlessly using Voice Call Continuity technology.



VCC is fashioned for voice, and voice only. Fixed mobile convergence in its truest form is able to encompass many distinct forms of communication multimedia.



The technologies necessary for fixed mobile convergence already exists and is in place. Lots of the bigger PBX manufacturers, including (but not confined to) Cisco, Avaya and Comdasys currently have some mobile compatibility integrated into their latest generation PBX systems. Lots of older PBX systems can improve just by using a bolt-on system for mobile capability. Such bolt-on systems are a blessing for smaller businesses which don't wish to shut themselves in to one particular supplier, but do desire to offer their staff members a high level of freedom with regards to controlling their communication requirements.



The Future For Carriers



Right now, there are very few reasons why carriers would desire to band together as a way to supply an agnostic service. Mobile and fixed telecommunications are still divided enough that a carrier offering an all-in-one solution for mobile, wi-fi and fixed line is still ahead of their competitors. With any luck, as increasing numbers of providers offer such solutions, we will see the networks open up more, to provide more flexibility of choice to consumers.