Fixed Mobile Convergence is Taking the Enterprise by Storm… What Does This Mean, and Will You Be Ready?

The way we communicate by voice is continually and rapidly changing. New technologies have emerged that make this mode of communication more efficient and cost effective, and enable an unprecedented level of user mobility. For years, enterprise IT has been deluged with an incredible amount of information, and some hollow promises, surrounding the implementation of these new and exciting voice services. At Aruba, we like to get beyond the marketing jargon and take a more holistic and realistic view of these converging voice technologies.

First of all, what exactly does fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) mean? For some, it means a convergence of functions in the core of the network, generally around the IMS architecture. More often, however, fixed-mobile convergence means enabling a person to make and receive calls via the most optimal technology at the moment, wherever they may be. This may be via a cellular network, a traditional TDM phone network, wired IP network or as is increasingly the case, a Wi-Fi network.

As the demand for user mobility increases, and as the size and breadth of the virtual enterprise expands exponentially, it is imperative that a clear roadmap for fixed-mobile convergence be established and understood. Intelligent solutions exist today that enable enterprise IT to implement FMC voice services seamlessly, adding a layer of intelligence and functionality to their existing network infrastructure that allow enterprise users the benefits of these mobile services.

Don’t replace your PBX. Don’t rip out your existing network infrastructure. Overlay a solution that enables the delivery of these services today, and allows for flexible growth tomorrow and into the future.

Enterprise-Centric

• Wi-Fi side of the phone is homed to the PBX
• PBX forwards calls to cellular number when phone is out of Wi-Fi coverage
• Sometimes used with cellular data channel for presence & signaling when in cellular coverage
• User experience is like a PBX extension whether inside or outside Wi-Fi coverage

Carrier-Centric

• Wi-Fi side of the phone is homed to the hosted FMC Gateway
• Cellular operato SP) “owns” the phone number and behavior
• User experience is like a cell phone whether in or out of Wi-Fi coverage