Converged network

Network convergence refers to the provision of telephone, video and data communication services within a single network. In other words, one company provides services for all forms of communication. Network convergence is primarily driven by development of technology and demand. Users are able to access a wider range of services, choose among more service providers. On the other hand, convergence allows service providers to adopt new business models, offer innovative services, and enter new markets.

One dictionary definition of “convergence” provides a starting point for the analysis: “the act of converging and esp. moving toward union or uniformity.” Convergence implies the integration of telecommunication, broadcasting and Internet network services. It allows a variety of providers to use different paths to transmit voice, video signals and data to homes and business. In the past, it is restricted to either communicating people by wire line or to watch broadcast programming at the same time. Two-way communication has been limited to voice and text by the limited availability of bandwidth; broadcast media have been restricted by their one-way character and by the availability of spectrum. Nowadays technology development, fierce competition and deregulation have transformed several distinct communications service markets into a converged market. In the telecommunications world, convergence has come to mean a moving towards the use of one medium as opposed to manipulation of all forms of information including voice, data and video across all types of network instead of carrying information separately within distinct networks. In the convergent network, different forms of information can be re-engineered to provide better, more flexible service to the user. For example, telephone networks can transmit data and video and cable networks are able to provide voice services...

Convergence is about services and about new ways of doing business and of interacting with society. The basic type of network convergence is the combination and connection across platforms and networks, which allows several types of networks to connect with each other within certain common standard and protocol. The second type is the convergence of telecommunication service, allows firms to use a single network to provide several communication services that traditionally required separate networks, which often is called the triple play or quadruple play in the USA. The third type is market convergence. The convergent network will stimulate mergers, acquisitions and collaborations among corporations. New business entities are created to offer multiple services, old and new, and address different markets. Digital technology allows both traditional and new communication services – whether voice, data, sound or pictures – to be provided over many different networks. Whether at home, at the office, or in the classroom, people enjoy the conveniences and entertainment brought by convergence like video-on-demand, interactive television, the Internet, personal digital assistants, and so on. Examples of products and services being delivered include:

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