| The cellular phone has single-handedly changed the | | | | many cell phone calls get dropped, a converged |
| way that we communicate with the world. As more | | | | handset will detect the presence of a wireless |
| and more people are losing their traditional telephone | | | | network and automatically switches to a lower |
| service in favor of their mobile phone, the next trend in | | | | frequency, keeping the call quality up throughout the |
| the telecommunications world is the development of | | | | change. The key that makes FMC successful is the |
| Fixed to Mobile Convergence (FMC), which gives you | | | | handset. There are several different models that you |
| the ability to switch seamlessly from your cellular | | | | can purchase that have the ability to switch from |
| network to a land line network infrastructure, and back | | | | cellular to WiFi networks. As they become more |
| again. It is expected that by the year 2010 the idea of | | | | popular the prices begin to decrease, and also are |
| Fixed Mobile Convergence will be common in the | | | | dependant on the types of plans offered by the |
| telecommunications industry. | | | | carrier. |
| With the slipping revenues shared by the traditional | | | | When it was announced that Apple would be releasing |
| telephone companies, combined with the increasing | | | | their own multi-functional cellular device, it was said that |
| number of people using IP networks to carry date and | | | | the carrier who would be offering service for the new |
| voice, are creating a model that is transitioning from | | | | phone would be Cingular Communications which is |
| long distance call, to a model based on a calling person. | | | | now AT&T Wireless. They will likely be the |
| This may sound confusing but in the end this means | | | | implementers of cellular to WiFi calling plans. One of |
| the inevitable end of long distance charges when you | | | | these current examples of a recently released fixed to |
| make a phone call. | | | | mobile convergence is the AT&T Unity Plan. This |
| With FMC a user would be able to take advantage of | | | | plan allows subscribers to call anyone nationwide who |
| the cellular networks outside without ever having to | | | | is also a subscriber of AT&T wireless or wire line |
| sacrifice connectivity for better mobility. When a user | | | | free of charge and without restriction. |
| enters an indoor environment which is a place where | | | | |