LG merges PCs and phones

LG is to converge its PC and mobile-phone divisions, the South Korean manufacturer announced at the end of last week, reports ZDNet.co.uk.

According to a statement from the company, the transfer of its PC division into the mobile division will "enhance LG Mobile Communications Company's capabilities amid a rapidly changing mobile-communications environment".

LG intends to increase its focus on smartphones, ultramobile PCs and "network infotainment", the statement said, adding: "These have emerged as important sectors to keep pace with in this era of mobile internet, in which users have come to rely on 3G technology and WiFi for ubiquitous access to information."

The CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Ernest Ndukwe, says that technology convergence has become a major factor determining the direction of developments in the global telecommunication industry, writes The Punch.

Ndukwe, who spoke prior to the IT Edge West Africa Convergence Forum, to be held in Lagos, Nigeria, in August, said the development had opened new investment opportunities globally.

"Convergence has become a major theme in the industry to underscore where the ICT industry is now and where it is headed. Convergence is behind most of new developments in the ICT sector and opens a wave of opportunities for investors. We are glad to be associated with IT Edge on this" said Ndukwe in a media interactive session on the event.

The growth in the consumption of broadcast content on devices other than the traditional TV screens is reflected across the exhibition, conference and business briefing programmes of the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) 2008 conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to be held in September, says 4rfv.co.uk.

Recent years have seen a steady rise in attendance from the telecoms sector as carriers and mobile operators seek a better understanding of the broadcast sector and evaluate IPTV and mobile multimedia revenues as a supplement to stagnant or declining voice ARPU.

This year, the opening theme day of the conference on 11 September is dedicated to "Content Access via the Web" and will explore how consuming content across devices as diverse as mobile phones, PCs, multimedia players and games consoles is impacting the traditional broadcast value chain.