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Operators and Vendors Plot Routes to Convergence in the Mobile CoreNEW YORK, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The explosion of broadband wireless and VOIP is forcing the pace of fixed-mobile convergence (FMC), but it presents huge challenges to mobile operators seeking to retain their primacy in the communications value chain, according to a new report from the subscription research service Unstrung Insider (http://www.unstrung.com/insider). Technologies under evaluation include Unlicensed Mobile Access, WLAN-3GPP, and SIP-SS7 gateways. The key question, looking forward, is how these mechanisms will support the transition to full-blown convergence architectures based on IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem). "Operators and major vendors are clear that they want to move to an IMS network for rich-media services and to enable the interworking of applications between wireless and wireline networks," says the report's author, Unstrung Insider Chief Analyst Gabriel Brown. "Although the long-term vision is in place, there could be competitive advantage in deploying an interim solution." According to the report, how mobile operators manage the transition to converged networks and services will be the key to their battle with wireline providers, which see convergence as a way to fight back against the mobility franchise of cellular. Among the report's key findings: * The licensed-spectrum mobile franchise is intact, but expectations for modest revenue growth have upped the pressure on operators to leverage service-aware core networks in the converged world. * UMA's convergence vision has gotten mixed reviews: It's standards-based and relatively straightforward, but the window of opportunity is closing fast. * Subscriber data in the HLR/HSS is the key for mobile operators to deliver converged services over diverse access networks. * SIP-based mobile VOIP is gaining momentum, with several vendors pitching systems as stepping stones to IMS -- which most major operators and vendors see as the medium- and long-term goal for the mobile core. Vendors covered in this report: Alcatel (NYSE: ALA; Paris: CGE); Azaire Networks Inc.; BridgePort Networks Inc.; Ericsson AB ; Kineto Wireless Inc.; LongBoard Inc.; Lucent Technologies Inc. ; Motorola Inc. ; NewStep Networks Inc.; Nokia Corp. ; Siemens AG (NYSE: SI; Frankfurt: SIE); and UTStarcom Inc. . Routes to Roam: Convergence in the Mobile Core is available as part of an annual subscription (12 monthly issues) to Unstrung Insider, priced at $1,350. Individual reports are available for $900. To subscribe, please visit: http://www.unstrung.com/insider. For additional information, to request a free executive summary of the report, or for details of multi-user licensing options, please contact: Jeff Claudino Sales Manager Insider Research Services 619-229-9940 [email protected] For press inquiries, please contact: Gabriel Brown Chief Analyst Insider Research Services 44-20-7701-9330 [email protected] Unstrung Insider CONTACT: Jeff Claudino, Sales Manager, Insider Research Services,+1-619-229-9940, [email protected]; Gabriel Brown, Chief Analyst,Insider Research Services, +44-20-7701-9330, [email protected] Web site: http://www.unstrung.com/insider |