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What is convergence?

TILL SOME time back phones, radios, computers and TVs had operated independently as they had distinct and separate technologies and networks. According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, major technological changes that have facilitated the convergence processes are digitisation and computerisation. Digitisation opened new possibilities for development and creation of services within and beyond the framework of traditional communication sectors.

The developments in hardware and software have empowered digital signal processing to such an extent that with use of IP technology in information transmission, the networks and customer premises equipment could introduce hitherto unknown applications and services. Computerisation has made available data processing capabilities, which can be applied for storage, transmission and distribution of television content and phone calls. This is leading to death of distance and fundamental changes in the business plans of existing telecom and video services providers. The International Telecom Union, the world body for standards and operating discipline in the field of telecommunications, has a five-point definition for convergence:

(i) Integration of customer end terminal equipment/access devices such as the telephone, television and personal computer.

(ii) Provision of various communication services such as text, data, image, multimedia and video over the existing infrastructure or over a single transmission medium.

(iii) Capability of the same technology to offer various services.

(iv) Different services under a converged licensing regime.

(v) Fixed mobile substitution/convergence.

S.D.

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