In view of GSM spectrum scarcity, Bharti Airtel a member of Fixed Mobile Convergence Alliance [FMCA] is exploring options of deploying the dual use network in India. Airtel is already testing Fixed Mobile Convergence service with limited number of its employees.
So what is Fixed Mobile Convergence Phone ? You will have a single number shared between your mobile phone and fixed phone [landline]. For instance, say you want your home phone along with your mobile in the FMC arrangement. When you are at home, all your calls will be automatically diverted to your fixed phone and when you are on the move they will be made available on your mobile through a automatic switching mechanism.
This is common in Germany and other European countries. Local calls between Landline are cheaper than making the same from your mobile and will also ease the traffic on mobile network paving way for better use of wireless spectrum. However, in the context of India, FMC deployment will be complicated to deploy as different service providers have different rates for calls terminating on different phones [Mobile / Landline] and Networks [Airtel / Reliance/ BSNL] . Also don’t forget about the numbering plan mess if we want to move towards mobile number portability. The big question is When will this Convergence happen ?
Tags: Mobile India, Telecom India, Fixed Mobile Convergence, Convergence