Discuss Computers/ Telecom Convergence and Revolution

In a global ascertain conducted by IBM and the Economics Intelligence unit (IEU), around 80 percent of respondents (telecommunicationmunication executives) confirm the importance of intersection point in raking in profits (IBM, 2005). Voice and data crossing is seen as the one that would relieve oneself the biggest effect, with mulish/ rambling access technology, telecom and media product, and IP/IT network convergence lagging hind end (2005). intersection point has been a buzz formulate way back in the sixties, something that f on the wholes technology, economics, legal/regulatory, and human aspects of a society. In this tuition Age, convergence allows us to do more(prenominal) things conveniently.But what but exactly is convergence? crossroad is defined as coming unitedly or towards the same point (Thompson, 1996). The status fits in the telecoms world for it signifies movement utilize a single medium. It occurs in foursome categories- transport, switching, ap plication, and telecommunications/information technology (Fowler, 2002, p. 12). See tabularize below. Figure 1. The Four Levels of Convergence (Fowler, 2002, p. 13) The thought process behind convergence is that it should not safe improve productivity, but overly bear a better Return on Investment (Fowler, 2002, p. 15).Convergence, by any means, is aimed to go forth make life easier both for the manufacturer (lower cost, easier management, less maintenance) and at the consumer-end (easy to use, sore or improved run) In the 1960s, convergence in the transport take aim began, with the conversion of the rally system to digitalization, bringing us the front T-carrier services (p. 12). Since it was b argonly new at that time, the Bell System was fitted to command these services (p. 12). On the otherwise hand, convergence at the switching level ab initio went by the term integration (Fowler, 2002, p. 3). all(prenominal) seven years, an integrated termination is presented . A rundown of these is presented below 1975 Satellite occupancy Systems The One- a digital controller with study planet access for integrated voice, data, and de declineation 1982 combine Voice/ data private section exchange or PBX 1988 Integrated operate Digital Network (ISDN) 1995 Broadband ISDN or BISDN (p. 13)Some of these so-called integrations were huge hits but on the whole, they fizzled out. Sprint, for instance, lost around $ billion when its Integrated-On- inquire (ION) services panned out (Fowler, 2002, p. 4). ION was targeted as a solution to those numerous voice and data networks by allowing the users to do voice, data, video, Intranet/Internet and fax applications utilizing a single connection (p. 14). However, the company was able to sign up around 4000 guests except (p. 14). Even its VP of Design has admitted having problems brought on by ION (p. 14). Convergence at the application level pertains to information delivery from various sources, whether data, au dio, video or graphics (Fowler, 2002, p. 24). The Internet and the intranet atomic number 18 examples of this.In this Information Age, the Internet has become the superlative source of information of hard-nosedly anything. Users have infiltrated it so a great deal that one visit on the Internet could come up with millions of user-generated content. Time Magazine has seen this phenomenon, naming the people or you as its Person of the category 2006 in its year-ender issue. Even video uploading has crept into the human Wide Web, with over 65,000 new videos uploaded every(prenominal) day (Cloud, 2006, p. 46). Convergence at the telecommunications/IT deals with accessing a single resource to do manifold chores (Fowler, 2003, p. 5).In a way, it is an integration of transport, switching and telecommunication and a wider scale. For example asp or Application Service Providers argon IT-based bear upon units that divest certain t assumes from web sites. ASP is currently losing its own battle with companies winning of ASP-units. The IBM study indicates that the drive towards convergence is brought on by four things- competition, demand for broadband access, technological innovation, and IP- networks- enabled income growth (IBM, 2005). These set the query for telecom convergence.In a research conducted by the Deloitte Touche group, it found out that convergence may cause also problems for the fabrication. The group interviewed telecom executives to assess telecoms predictions. Among its findings is the continuous need to insert and reinvent. The Internet, for instance, has reached its peak with its explosive growth (Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, 2007, p. 4). Demand is high which may lead to a growth in traffic. More so now with the demand of online videos, this may affect the transfer on the Internets backbone (p. 4).This very same inflow may likewise clog the system, thereby slowing down its service. It is primary(prenominal) to refer that any Internet vi ewer wants fast access. Any service slowdown, even vindicatory in seconds, may case customer satisfaction. This should serve as a fear to telecom businesses. It may also free-spoken a window to new technologies to scream these problems. Broadband application is very much in demand now. Companies should take prefer of this. Either they are able to leave the demand or bold luxuriant create other broadband appliances other than the Internet.Broadband appliances could usher in a new era in telecom convergence. miserable on. The brisk sector in the telecom industry has seen applications such as SMS, 3G and mobile television. The public is also starting to invite mobile Internet, with most units now provide with Wireless LAN network technologies. SMS and mobile downloads make up a major chunk of mobile operators. It is therefore most-valuable to capitalize on this without sacrificing content and delivery. The politics should work alongside operators to ensure that laws are i mplemented not just in the mobile sector but in the entire telecom industry.Connectivity plays a life-sustaining role in economic kick upstairs thus it is important to have policies that are appropriate. The telephone, facsimile, Intranet, and Intranet are impressd in communication. It plays a big part in transmit pertinent information, in spreading decision. Thus, is it is important to have sufficient quality support. To do this, it is imperative to involve all players- the users (buyers), operators and businesses (sellers) and the judicature (regulatory). The administration should not just involve the telecomm operators in drafting laws but also the consumers in order to come up with appropriate and pertinent laws.It is a scrap for all concerned parties to come up with polices that benefit all. Speaking of the political sympathies, it should embrace convergence to improve its services. Government agencies web sites are sprouting already but the government needs to come up with excess services. For example, doing a government-related query via videoconferencing may moreover time and effort both for the citizen and the government employee. One does not need to line up in an agency to ask something if he provoke do so in the comfort of his own home. Convergence impacts everybody.With the global market increasingly befitting competitive, it is important to know how to leverage convergence. universe and reinvention do not necessarily be to satisfaction. There should be a operose commitment in the part of the government, telecomm industry and users to share technological benefits worldwide, to discern all realistic implications and come up with practical solutions, to create technological solutions that would be embraced as a way of life. If all can do that, it would be one measurement in making this world a better place to live in.