Convergence technologies and services

Convergence services, such as VoIP, IPTV, Mobile TV, Smart TV, etc., replace the old technologies and are a threat to the current service providers. IP-based convergence is inevitable and will result in new service and new demand in the market. When the old technology converges into the public-owned common, IP based services become access-independent or less dependent. The old service is access-dependent.

Convergent technologies can integrate the fixed-line with mobile to deliver convergent solutions. Recent examples of new, convergent services include:

Video on demand (VOD)

Video on demand (VOD) or audio and video on demand (AVOD) are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content when they choose to, rather than having to watch at a specific broadcast time. IPTV technology is often used to bring video on demand to televisions and personal computers.

Fixed-mobile convergence

Fixed–mobile convergence (FMC) is a change in telecommunications that removes differences between fixed and mobile networks. Fixed Mobile Convergence is a transition point in the telecommunications industry that will finally remove the distinctions between fixed and mobile networks, providing a superior experience to customers by creating seamless services using a combination of fixed broadband and local access wireless technologies to meet their needs in homes, offices, other buildings and on the go.

Mobile-to-mobile convergence

Mobile to mobile convergence (MMC) is a term to describe a technology used in modern computing and telephony. The term is an offshoot of fixed mobile convergence (FMC) and uses dual mode (cellular network and Wi-Fi) phones with a special software client and an application server to connect voice calls and business applications via a VoWLAN and/or through a cellular service.

Convergent technologies include:

IP Multimedia Subsystem

The IP Multimedia Subsystem or IP Multimedia Core Network Subsystem (IMS) is an architectural framework for delivering IP multimedia services.

Session Initiation Protocol

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a standardized set of formats for communicating messages used to initiate, control, and terminate interactive user sessions with multimedia services such as Internet telephone calls, video conferencing, chat, file transfer, and online games.

IPTV

Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as a LAN or the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.