Fixed/Mobile Convergence and Beyond

Foreword

Never before has the need to constantly stay connected been so great. It is for this reason in most industrialized countries, ownership of a personal cell phone is fast approaching market saturation. The compelling convenience of cellular phone use has progressed to the point where many – especially young adults, don't even have a fixed-line telephone but rely solely on a cellular phone for telephony services. Reliance on mobile devices is evidenced in business where analysts have noted that 40–50% of all business cell phone calls are made in sight of a desk phone. The convenience of mobility is too compelling to deny. However, cellular telephony alone does not meet all the mobile market requirements, due to limited in-building coverage ...