The Five Faces Of Convergence
The most notable technology convergene is the coming together of
telecoms, broadcasting and computing. A single provider is now able
to offer all these components in one bundled offering. But technology
convergence is not the only type of convergence; albeit it is in
many cases leading convergence in other areanas.
There are five forms of convergence taking place:
- Functional Convergence - technology component
offers more functions and services than initially designed to.
For example, a mobile phone originally designed for voice calls,
now manages SMS, digital still photography, video photography,
steaming video, webcasting, email etc.
- Technological Convergence - transmission of
multimedia and interactive media in one single carrier technology
like the fibre optic cable and satellite technology. The Internet
combines all know communication media into one single service
on a computer screen.
- Economic Convergence - when an industry becomes
dominated by oligopoly, blurring the lines between multiple providers
in networked service offerings. For instance, telcos merging offerings
with media companies and content providers.
- Political Convergence - regulatory bodies
are now converging in an attempt to define and control service
delivery standards now broken free from conventional borders.
- Geographical Convergence - convergence of
telecommunications and information technology has also led to
a geographical convergence. Satellite is facilitating communication
irrespective of geographical location.
Where this will end, no-one can be sure at present. As geographic
borders are now under threat from globalisation of media, ecommerce
and service delivery, it is hard to see how international economies
will not converge and even new IP-based boundary definitions imposed.
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Next: Drivers
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