Research: Convergence in mobile communications

Rhetorik

Published: 25 Jul 2007 08:04 BST

Introduction, scope and methodology
Convergence is a much-used and, in many ways, over-used term in the communications world, and may hold many different meanings to users. There are, however, two key areas of convergence that are widely applied in relation to mobile communications:

Fixed/mobile convergence
Voice/data convergence

Fixed/mobile convergence aims to provide both fixed-line and mobile telephony services to users through the same handset. Handsets can support both wide-area mobile network access and local-area connection to fixed-line technology, typically through a local wireless connection.

Voice/data convergence in the mobile context enables the provision of voice, data and, in many cases, other communications services (email, text and so on) over the same communications network and to the same mobile handsets.

Mobile convergence is a fast-moving area, applied through a range of technological solutions related to the devices, networks and communications services provided.

In our research we set out to investigate the degree of implementation of these key areas of mobile convergence throughout the UK, the main technologies in use and future plans for implementation. We also investigated the main drivers and barriers to adoption by user and potential user enterprises of all types and sizes.

This research was carried out as part of a broader research study sponsored by Orange UK investigating the top mobile trends today and their impact on UK enterprises. The study was undertaken by ZDNet.co.uk in association with Rhetorik, a specialist market intelligence organisation that focuses specifically on European IT and telecommunications markets.

The survey used web-based survey techniques with a detailed questionnaire applied through the ZDNet.co.uk research panel, as well as a broad sample of knowledgeable respondents drawn from readership of specialist CNET technical publications.

The research was conducted with a significant sample of 371 organisations of all types and sizes with some degree of mobility within the workforce. A breakdown of these respondents by size of organisation is presented below.