Fixed Mobile Convergence T Research Seminar on Telecommunications Business Johanna Heinonen

Outline Introduction FMC overview Standards FMC network architecture End user services Influence to operator Business models Vendor strategies FMC challenges Conclusion

Introduction Fixed operators Many fixed phones replaced with mobile phones Mobile operators Lacking of high bandwidth Hybrid operators Expensive to maintain two separate networks Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) Need to offer their services via different kinds of access networks => New strategies needed, FMC is one possibility

Introduction FMC gives possibilities to different types of operators: Fixed operators Possible to enhance their coverage area towards mobile access (WLAN, UMA) Mobile operators Possible to enhance their coverage area (e.g. UMA) Hybrid operators Can reduce costs by optimizing their networks Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) Possible to utilize both fixed and mobile operators networks

Fixed Mobile Convergence FMC concept is not new FMC target: Separate wireless and wireline networks will merge to one – several access technologies available to access the network IMS architecture and SIP protocol are the main building blocks IMS handles SIP sessions between the terminals To have all services seamlessly available from any network and with any terminal device

Standards 3GPP IP Multimedia subsystem (IMS) IMS core in release 5 Additions in release 6 (e.g. CS-IMS interworking, UMA) Standardization continues in release 7 IETF SIP protocol ETSI TISPAN Fixed telephony network standardization Specifies IP and SIP based NGN architecture based on 3GPP IMS release 6 OMA SIP based services Push-to-talk, presence

FMC Network Architecture

End User Services FMCA – Fixed mobile convergence association has listed convergence service scenarios Converged contacts – personal contact and address book in the network-based storage which is accessible from anywhere Personal multimedia - secure access to the user’s multimedia content that is stored in home or in the network from any device Multimedia call with data sharing service – possible to for the user to switch between voice only GSM call and multimedia call containing e.g. picture or broadband-enabled TV Combinatorial services - based on availability of multiple connections (circuit and data) during the same communication session Electronic Programme Guide service is listing available programmes that can be watched on the mobile device or recorded on video recorder Automation control and monitoring service makes it possible to control various home based tasks via the mobile device such as temperature and access Convergent call control provides the ability to automatically handle the call based on some events. For example based on the information of the user’s electronic calendar, the location of the user and the importance of the caller the call will be connected to the user or to the voice mail Multimodal services include several scenarios where voice and data sessions are mixed

Influence to Operator Business Models FMC offers two main benefits to the operators: Interoperability reduction of the costs because common resources can be used FMC introduced step-by-step Operators want to exploit their existing investments Interworking with existing networks is important FMC solutions must be adjusted to each operator Investment plans of Finnish operators (Ficora) the amount of investments is going to increase because of the equipment needed for convergence and next generation networks operators believe that they will get remarkable cost savings by using IP based techniques Also they believe that convergence will bring new services for end users

FMC is a continuously changing and complex environment which creates uncertainties at technology, demand and strategy levels The technological uncertainties are caused by rapid technological development and the developing standards What are the services that the users are willing to pay will be seen in the future. This is causing uncertainty in demand level A clear framework is needed to prevent the operators to do costly mistakes by entering and subsequently exiting non-core businesses and markets Influence to Operator Business Models

Vendor Strategies Operators want to reuse their existing networks => This has to be taken into account by vendors Many vendors have different kinds of evolution paths and step-by-step network introduction to the FMC and all IP networks Most of the vendors have taken an active role in many standardization bodies => standardization is a key issue if vendors want to provide solutions that can be integrated to the equipment of other vendors

FMC Challenges Number plans and number portability Fixed and mobile numbers come from separate blocks and they have prefixes that contain information for interconnection charging Currently there is separate fixed number portability and mobile number portability available but not fixed/mobile number portability Directory services Fixed operators provide directory service to their customers. This catalogue contains information on all fixed line customers Currently mobile operators do not offer this kind of service and mobile numbers are considered as personal data Handset availability Always a problem in the early stages of any telecommunications technology Role of regulators not a task of regulators to decide the rules for FMC. Regulators should only set up the environment so that the market forces can guide direction, extent and pace of FMC Since the definitions of information, data and entertainment has changed the rules related to network and service providers should change accordingly

Conclusion FMC gives lots of possibilities but on the other hand it means also new investments to operators Very complex networks Common standards have a great importance How much the end users are willing to pay for the services? Should VoIP services should be free of charge? (Skype)