Fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) has been the subject of substantial hype and confusion in the telecoms industry for many years, yet it has had relatively little impact to date. This report examines the reality of FMC today and assesses its true potential. The report covers a wide variety of FMC initiatives, including integrated pricing plans and distribution, dual-mode handsets and services (for example based on UMA) and full network integration. The report considers the factors that will determine the success of FMC and identifies which (if any) of the current FMC initiatives will succeed. The report identifies the most appropriate strategies for different types of network operators.

How to Succeed with Fixed-Mobile Convergence answers your key questions:

- What is FMC, and what are its different forms?
- Is there a future for dual-mode handsets, for example based on UMA? What are the strengths and weaknesses of early commercial services and will future developments increase the chance of success?
- What is meant by network convergence and when (if ever) should network operators evolve to converged all-IP networks based on IMS?
- What are the most effective network convergence steps that operators can take in the short term?
- How can integrated pricing plans be used to achieve the benefits of FMC without undertaking major network developments?

Who should read this report

- Mobile-only, fixed-only and integrated network operators: senior executives, product managers and technology executives, to understand the importance of different types of FMC and the benefits they can bring to network operators and their customers.

- Handset and network equipment vendors: senior executives, technology strategists and product developers, to assess the realistic potential for dual-mode handset solutions, for example based on UMA, and network convergence.

- Content and application providers: senior executives and product managers, to understand the opportunities presented by integrating the pricing plans of fixed and mobile services.

- Regulators: to identify emerging trends in FMC and the implications for customers and different types of network operator.

- Investors: to understand the likely successes and failures in FMC and the strategies that different types of organisations should be adopting with FMC.

About the author

Dr Alastair Brydon and Dr Mark Heath are founders of Sound Partners Ltd and authors of over 30 reports from Analysys Research, including The Acceleration of Fixed-Mobile Substitution in Western Europe: facts and figures, Seizing the Opportunities from Enterprise Mobility, The Future of the Global Wireless Industry: scenarios for 2007-12, The World's Top Ten Non-voice Services for Mobile Operators, Picocells and Femtocells: will indoor base stations transform the telecoms industry?, Mobile Operator Strategies for Fixed Broadband, Fixed-Mobile Substitution in Western Europe: causes and effects, Mobile Number Portability: strategies for operators and regulators, The Business Case for WiMAX, Forecasting the Commercial Impact of Wireless VoIP in the USA and Western Europe, Evaluating the Options for Mobile TV and Radio Broadcasting in Western Europe, and Prospects for the Evolution of 3G and 4G.

Alastair is CEO of Sound Partners Ltd. Prior to joining Sound Partners, Alastair reported to Nokia's European management team and worked with many of Nokia's customers to implement market firsts ranging from the introduction of prepaid mobile tariffs to new mass-market content services. Previously, Alastair worked in a number of roles for the BT Group, focusing on the evolution of wireless services, networks and technologies. He also contributed to international research and standardisation of GSM, DECT and 3G. Alastair holds BSc and PhD degrees from UMIST, where he was awarded the IEE Prize for top student.

Mark is Director of Research at Sound Partners Ltd. He previously held a number of marketing and business development roles in Nokia, ultimately becoming responsible for strategy and business development across Europe. Before that, Mark was responsible for business planning at BT Cellnet in the UK, after spending six years at BT in wireless systems research and development. Mark holds BSc and PhD degrees from the University of Leeds, winning the University prize for his research in telecommunications. Mark also holds an MBA, graduating as top student from Henley Management College.

Dr Rupert Wood (Principal Analyst) directs fixed telecoms research at Analysys Research. He specialises in wireline services, fixed-mobile competition and convergence in voice. He has written reports on broadband access, services, pricing and regulation, fixed-mobile substitution and VoIP, as well as reports that take a longer-range view of the structure of the telecoms industry. He manages the Analysys Research Market Share Monitor, directs the Analysys Research Fixed Networks and Services online market intelligence service and has a particular interest in the development of Eastern European/CIS telecoms markets. Before joining Analysys, Rupert was a Lecturer at the University of Cambridge.