Enterprise-focused fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) initiatives could help carriers, as well as enterprises, by driving adoption and usage of mobile devices, a report from research firm Unstrung Insider suggests. However, a battle between carriers and enterprises over control of converged networks may follow, the report warns.

Ultimately, Unstrung Insider's report suggests, the potential productivity gains of VoIP (voice-over-IP) integration with corporate applications will outweigh enterprise concerns about higher mobile phone bills. This, in turn, will foster increased enterprise adoption of mobile devices capable of providing voice and data services over internal WLANs, external WiFi networks, and cellular networks.

Whether these converged networks will be controlled by software modules within wireless carrers' IMS (IP multimedia subsystems) infrastructures, or by “mobility appliances” operated by enterprises themselves, remains unclear, however. The report leans toward an outcome in which operators slowly roll out the software needed to manage cross-network mobility, while enterprises retain control of PBX (private branch exchange) capabilities.

Unstrung Insider analyst Gabriel Brown explains, “Wireless operators need to weigh the benefits of maximizing revenues from existing customers on price and control versus increasing the penetration of mobility services in the enterprise market. At the same time, enterprises don't insist on running their own telephony empires. Many would welcome the opportunity to turn responsibility over to third parties, if they could retain control over features that would help them rein in costs per user, such as policy enforcement and auditing.”

Additional report highlights include:

• IP PBX vendors will drive FMC in the mainstream and high-end enterprise initially. Innovative hosted and Internet-based services, as well as “potentially disruptive IT products such as Microsoft's Live Communications Server,” could also play a role, the report says.
• Enterprises want FMC implementations to let them set rules and policies about mobile services usage, provide auditing, tracking, and accounting tools, and integrate with internal billing systems.

The Unstrung Insider report also notes that Linux, Symbian, and Windows Mobile are battling for dominance in the enterprise-oriented mobile handset market, suggesting Symbian may dominate Europe, while Windows leads North America for now. Meanwhile, reports from Canalysis and Gartner suggest that Linux is winning in Asia, while ABI suggests that Symbian's share is eroding.

Availability

The report, entitled “Enterprise Fixed/Mobile Convergence & Wireless VOIP,” is part of Unstrung's subscription-based “Insider” service, which for $1,350 includes 12 monthly reports. Reports are also available singly, priced at $900. Details are here.

 
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