Fixed Mobile Convergence

 

Group 6

 

Brittnee Breze, Candice Fitzgerald, Magen Price

 

Key Words: Session Initiation Protocol, Fixed Mobile Convergence, User Agent

 

Fixed Mobile Convergence is a remarkable telecommunications software capability that uses one device to dually control a land-line and a cellular line through one server with a single phone number. With the use of Session Initiation Protocol, Fixed Mobile Convergence easily switches from the land-line server to the cellular server without user interaction. Businesses that use the Fixed Mobile Convergence capabilities of their service provider are able to use the most appropriate, lowest cost network available to carry their communication for each use depending on their location. Ultimately, businesses can lower cost, increase profit, and literally cut physical barriers.

 

Many companies currently offer call forwarding but lack the convenience of Fixed Mobile Convergence, the integration of wire line and wireless technologies. A user has one single phone number for both the home and cellular telephone. Primarily, FMC is a capability most convenient for businesses with mobile workers. The convergence ability is obtained through an application server. Through the loose routing of SIP software, incoming calls are anchored at the FMC server. Working as a back-to-back-user agent, the FMC server re-initiates the call toward the subscriber. With the two-mode service, the FMC service provider can route the call to the cellular network or to the SIP network. For the FMC provider to decide which network to use, it checks the availability of the user agent by checking registration status, giving the subscriber the ability to use the innovative service without any interaction.

 

While Nokia and Avaya are working together to become the first Fixed Mobile Convergence providers in the United States, other countries have already developed and employed a FMC service. Korea, Russia, and parts of Europe initiated the drive for the first phase of Fixed Mobile Convergence in late 2004. Finally, in mid-2005, they discovered what was necessary to make FMC a possibility. Russia and Europe were the first countries to begin using Fixed Mobile Convergence in its first Phase, using two lines and two devices with user interaction. During this phase, the user had to actually decide for him or herself which network would be best. A Korean company, ClipComm, developed the first device to actually enable the second phase of FMC. This phase brought the ability to have one single phone number with two networks. Again, the user had to decide which network to use for each call. A Russian company called BT was one of the first to offer this FMC service to businesses in the area. Now the company is able to offer the convergence services for the globally cheapest prices. Over the past two years, Nokia and Avaya have developed the Nokia 60 cellular device and, in combination with Avaya’s state-of-the-art software, will be offering the Fixed Mobile Convergence capabilities in its third and final phase, two networks, one number, and hands-free to American businesses as soon as June 2006.

 

Businesses have been able to successfully operate without Fixed Mobile Convergence until now. What makes it important to markets after all this time? Each business is constantly looking for an advantage over their competitors and substitute services. In order to be at the top of their industry, something has to make them stand above the rest. Fixed Mobile Convergence will give these companies exactly what is needed to supply their customers better than companies without like technology.

 

If the convenience of a business with mobile workers having the ability to switch from land line to cellular network is not enough, businesses can be convinced with the money-saving aspect of Fixed Mobile Convergence. Since using cellular network is more costly than the use of regular land-line network, companies can save money by using the abilities of FMC to select. Since the same phone and phone number is used for both networks, businesses can work from anywhere. Physical barriers are literally cut with the FMC services. Customers can reach a member of the business at any time using the exact same number they would use if the member were in the office, therefore increasing overall profitability. The customer also has the option to turn off the business profile feature and continue receiving personal phone calls, allowing them to separate business from their personal lives. Considering the innovativeness of FMC, the likelihood that each company in the market has the capabilities of Fixed Mobile Convergence is slim, giving users a competitive advantage of sorts.

 

Using one device to dually control two networks is remarkable, indeed. Through Session Initiation Protocol, Fixed Mobile Convergence allows users to have one single phone number with the availability of using the regular network or the cellular network. Without any extra work from the users, the communication device chooses the best network for the location. Having a single phone number everywhere cheaper than a cellular phone is a great improvement for the business world. With Nokia and Avaya teaming up to lead the way in America’s FMC capabilities, service should be available sometime in the summer of 2006. Businesses that give Fixed Mobile Convergence a try sooner will not only increase their profits, but they will gain other benefits, like lowering costs, as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

 

Cisco.(2005).Fixed Mobile Convergence Promises New Services.http://www.sipquest.com/about/Fixed-Mobile-Convergence.php

 

Avaya.(2005).Avaya Announces Global Availability of First Enterprise Fixed Mobile Convergence Applications Jointly Developed with Nokia.http://www.emea.avaya.com/gcm/emea/en-us/corporate/pressroom/pressreleases/2005/07sep05a.htm

 

Nokia.(2005).Avaya and Nokia Collaborate to Deliver Next Phase of Fixed to Mobile Convergence Applications for Enterprises. http://www.nokiausa.com/about/newsroom/article/1,1046,3294,00.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions about Fixed Mobile Convergence (Group 6)

 

  1.  What is Fixed Mobile Convergence?
    1. Telecommunications software          C.  Hardware
    2. CDROM                                            D.  Computer game

 

  1. How Does Fixed Mobile Convergence work?
    1. Switch into premode               C.  Uses SIP
    2. Transfer bytes                          D.  Collect data

 

  1. All are benefits of Fixed Mobile Convergence EXCEPT:
    1. Lower cost                  C. Convenience
    2. Increase Profits           D.  Increase physical barriers

 

  1. What companies are involved with Fixed Mobile Convergence?
    1. Alltel and Cingular         C.  TMobile and Sprint
    2. Nokia and Avaya            D.  Motorola and Samsung

 

  1. Fixed Mobile Convergence only uses _____ phone number for both the home and cellular telephone.

     A. 5                       C.  3

     B. 1                       D.  2

 

  1. Which is not one of the countries to develop or employ Fixed Mobile Convergence?

    A.  Korea                         C.  Australia

    B.  Russia                         D.  United States

 

  1. In what year was it discovered to make Fixed Mobile Convergence a possibility?

          A. 2005                C.  1998

          B. 2001                 D.  2003