2. FIXED MOBILE CONVERGENCE (FMC)
“ONE PHONE, ONE NUMBER, ONE BILL”
Way of connecting wireless to wire line infrastructure.
The ultimate goal of convergence is to deliver seamless
experience across multiple locations, multiple devices
and multiple types of use.
3. Features of FMC
Unified Service of fixed and mobile n/w’s with one
phone, one number and one bill
Seamless roaming between cellular, Wi-Fi,
WiMAX and what ever wireless technology comes
next.
More reliable mobile service with wider coverage at
lower cost. Closer integration between public and
enterprise phone networks.
Friendly user interfaces that makes it easy to make
and manage calls (the user has a choice to select the
type of network depending upon cost and
convenience).
4. NEED FOR FMC
1) Productivity
2) Security
3) Planning for future innovation
4) Competitive advantage
5) Cost
5. Enabling Technologies
• The foundation for FMC is in the network. This has included the
development of IP backbones, optimal routing and quality of service.
For FMC to work at the network level, network equipment vendors
have been working on technologies based on standards and protocols.
These allow network traffic to be transported seamlessly between
different types of networks.
• Three of the key enabling technologies for FMC services are SIP, IMS
and UMA/GAN. The description of these technologies is as follows:
6. Enabling Technologies (Contd.)
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
SIP or Session Initiation Protocol is an application-level control
protocol developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
for setting up, changing and terminating multimedia sessions
between participants on IP data networks. SIP is a text-based
protocol, similar to HTTP and SMTP, for initiating interactive
communication sessions between users. Such sessions include voice,
video, chat, interactive games, and virtual reality
IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)
• IMS is an architecture standard based on SIP, which allows for
multiple real-time applications such as voice, video, games etc. to
run across a single network.
7. Enabling Technologies (Contd.)
• It was initially designed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)
for mobile networks, newer releases of IMS are designed to be access
agnostic so that it can be used by any type of access method, be it a fixed
line or mobile of any standard (GSM, CDMA2000, UMTS etc.)
8. Enabling Technologies (Contd.)
Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA)
• UMA is an access technology that allows subscribers to switch
between fixed and mobile networks. It provides access to GSM and
GPRS mobile services over unlicensed spectrum technologies,
including Bluetooth and WiFi. By deploying UMA technology,
service providers can enable subscribers to roam and handover
between cellular networks and public and private unlicensed
wireless networks using dual-mode mobile handsets.
9.
10. Levels of FMC
Network Convergence: Fixed/mobile networks
physically share transportation infrastructure.
(access N/w & core N/w)
Service Convergence: Lets people connect simply
to a wider number of services using a smaller
number of devices. (Voice, IM, SMS, video)
Device/Terminal Convergence: Single terminal
can be used to access different services offered
by different networks (different technology)
18. FMC Case Scenarios for Voice and Data
Scenario I: Voice calls on Mobile SIM subscriber walking into his/ her residence should
automatically be diverted to the landline network of his/ her residence.
Scenario II: Data Calls on Mobile SIM subscriber walking into his/ her residence should
seamlessly and automatically be handed over to wireless broadband network of his/
her residence; thereby decreasing the load on the 3G or Edge network of the operator.
Scenario III: Multi-location: In case a MS subscriber is registered at his residence and
also at some other premises where he frequents, then the Voice and data calls for his
mobile would be seamlessly handed over to the landline and Wi-Fi network used in the
premises.
Scenario IV: Unified Communication and Roaming services: In a true FMC environment,
user should be able to avail his/ her telephone calls, Voice Mail, Fax Mail, and other
services of the office/roaming environment on his GSM handset or his desk phone or
on VoIP phone thereby ensuring a single device operation for all his/ her varied
communication needs.
19. FMC CASE STUDY - 1
• British Telecom (BT) launched world’s first FMC service called
‘Fusion’ in June, 2005 in United Kingdom. It works just like a
mobile phone when user is out and about, but switches
automatically and seamlessly onto a BT Broadband line when the
user is at home. That means the user gets all the convenience and
features of a mobile phone but with fixed line prices and quality.
• BT Fusion offers customers huge savings by allowing calls to UK
landline numbers to be charged at BT landline rates. Calls over
broadband in the home means customers can make a mobile call
but with the quality of a fixed-line and worry less about the signal
being lost or dropping out.
20.
21. When BT launched Fusion, the technology was
immature. The service used a Bluetooth connection between a dual
mode handset and the Home Hub wireless router, which had a
range of about 10 meters. That meant effectively, users would be in
range of the BT Home Hub only when in the same room.
22. CASE STUDY - 2
Anil Ambani’s Reliance Telecommunications OneOffice Duo:
Reliance One Office Duo Service offered a nationwide converged
voice CUG across Mobiles & landlines in 2007. It creates corporate wide virtual
private network with both wireline and wireless subscribers.Any member of
Voice VPN group may use Short Digit Dial (SDD) code or actual Directory
Number (DN) to reach another member of the same group.
All the Voice VPN on-net calls made by the subscriber using the
Voice VPN service shall be billed to the corporate and should not be reflected in
individual user's phone bill
OneOffice Duo also provides enterprises with a Self-service portal for
administrators to add/delete/modify the members to OneOffice Duo and
manage their service profile
It also includes the following services:
1) Wireline – Centrex Exchange, PRI, FLP.
2) Wireless – CDMA – Mobile, FWP, FWT. GSM (RCOM & RTL networks) –
Mobile.
23. CONCLUSION
FMC CHALLENGES:
1) Number plans & number portability
2) Directory services
3) Handset Availability
Albeit, FMC has fundamentally changed the way the
communications world currently functions. Instead of taking
a network-centric view, FMC places the customer at the
centre of communications. As a result, consumers benefit
from convenience and simplicity, enabling new services for a
lower price.
