The convergence of fixed and mobile networks, which includes the convergence of services, devices and the networks, is being driven by customer demand.
This is according to Malan Smith, technical director at Siemens, who was discussing the issue with delegates at the Futurex conference, held at the Sandton Convention Centre this week.
"Operators need to balance the challenges they face with customer expectations as they attempt to come to grips with the issue of convergence," said Smith.
"Customers want freedom of choice and ease of use and they don`t care which network provides this, while operators face challenges related to convenience and reachability - the provision of any service, anywhere at any time - personalisation, which requires the flexibility to adapt a service to the customers` needs, and the provision of new services like real-time multimedia offerings."
He said some people view convergence as being about one network providing a range of different services, while others see it as being about similar services provided by different networks.
"Ultimately, both these views are right in a way. Network convergence involves the integration and utilisation of the network, while service convergence revolves around seamless service delivery across different network elements, such as either fixed or mobile, and the provision of multi-characteristic services."
Smith said that an example of a multi-characteristic service is SMS, which began as a service delivered over mobile networks, but is now one that certain fixed-line networks also provide.
"Key drivers of this convergence are the paradigm shift from voice to data provision, customers seeking service delivery that is independent from network technology and what we call the 'one-X` factor.
"The 'one-X` factor refers to issues such as a customer`s desire to receive a single bill for services or retain a single telephone number."
Smith believes that converged networks will begin playing a much larger role over the next two to three years.
"We are rapidly moving towards a time where networks will be offering any service over any device, anywhere and at any time."
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