A few words on Convergence

Convergence, though an industry buzzword for some time, remains a important reality in today's information and communication (ICT) industry, so much so that its effects are being felt at numerous levels.

At the technological level, there have been rapid developments in device convergence (e.g. mobile phone, camera and internet access device), network convergence (e.g. fixed-mobile convergence, next-generation networks) and service convergence (e.g. voice services over the internet). At the regulatory level, converged regulators for broadcasting and telecommunications now exist in a number of economies (e.g. Ofcom in the United Kingdom). Corporate convergence is a natural consequence, with many service providers merging their content and infrastructure business areas. Industry convergence is occurring between information technology, telecommunications and media.

Convergence brings with it a number of challenges, including content distribution and management, sustainability and scalability, innovation management, competitive dynamics, tariff policies, network security, regulatory coherence, consumer protection and so on. Convergence at its multiple levels is blurring the boundaries between service classifications, between industries, and between policy frameworks.

This page provides a number of online resources on the topic of convergence.

Selected online resources and policy paper on Convergence

• Report for the European Commission (Devoteam/Siticom), Regulatory implications of the introduction of next generation networks and other new developments in electronic communications, May 2003.
• Report for the European Commission (Analysys), IP Voice and Associated Convergent Services, January 2004.
• ECTA, Comments on NGN Public Policy.
• Economist Intelligence Unit, The next moves: Convergence in the communications and content industries, August 2004.
• European Commission, Com (97) 623, Green paper on the convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology sectors, and the implications for regulation: Towards an information society approach, 3 December 1997.
• European Commission, i2010 High Level Group, Discussion Paper, The Challenges of Convergence, December 2006.
• G.S. Ford, Thomas M. Koutsky and Lawrence J. Spiwak, Competition After Unbundling: Entry, Industry Structure and Convergence, Phoenix Center policy paper No. 21, July 2005.
• Henten, R. Samarajiva & W.H. Melody, Designing Next Generation Telecom Reform: ICT Convergence or Multisector Utility?, January 2003.
• IDATE, Communications & Strategies, Technological Convergence and Regulation: Challenges Facing Developing Countries, Special Issue, WSIS, November 2005.
• ITU, GSR Discussion Paper, Fixed-Mobile Convergence, E. Sutherland, February 2007.
• W. Melody, E. Sutherland & R. Tadayoni, Lirne Asia, Convergence, IP Telephony and Telecom Regulation – Challenges and Opportunities for Network Development, with particular reference to India, July 2005.
• OECD, VoIP: developments in the market, January 2006.
• OECD, Policy Considerations for Audio-Visual Content Distribution in a Multiplatform Environment, January 2007.
• OECD, Fixed-Mobile Convergence: Market developments and policy issues, March 2007.
• Ofcom, Public discussion document, Regulatory challenges posed by next generation access networks, November 2006.
• OFTA (OVUM), Review of the regulatory framework for fixed-mobile convergence in Hong Kong , April 2006.
• J.V. Srivastava and M. Finger, Fixed to Mobile Convergence (FMC): technological convergence and the restructuring of the European telecommunications industry, September 2006.
• Telecoms Infotech Forum, Briefing Paper, Fixed-mobile convergence, September 2006.
• Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), Consultation Paper on Issues relating to Convergence and Competition in Broadcasting and Telecommunications, January 2006.
• The World Bank (J. Bezzina), Interconnection Challenges in a Converging Environment: Policy Implications for African Telecommunications Regulators, June 2005.
• Working Group on Internet Governance, Draft WGIG Issue Paper on Telecommunications Infra-structure, Broadband Access, and Convergence with NGN.
• Yankee Group, Rationalizing Fixed-Mobile Convergence, May 2006.