Trends and Opportunities Convergence - Exercise 4

Identify and discuss Trends and Opportunities in convergence (at least 2000 words with image/s)

[size=24]Convergence[/size]

What is Convergence?

The act, condition, quality, or fact of converging.
is the approach toward a definite value, a definite point, a common view or opinion, or toward a
fixed or equilibrium state. In mathematics, it describes limiting behavior, particularly of an infinite
sequence or series.

http://www.answers.com/topic/convergent-evolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergence



New services, new technologies, new market structures, new business models, and less stringent
regulations. Convergence has brought change not only in the way we live, but also in the way we
think. But then, not everything is rosy about convergence. The truth, however is, the
challenges have to be met. There is no run-away option.

There are two important identifiable trends here. One, the selection of media is no longer an
either-or. It is a mix-n-match. Two, the control over the message is steadily moving from the source
to the receiver.
Now, that itself is convergence for many. But then, there is much more to the word.


[size=18]Build Various Logic Out of the Commotion:[/size]


Convergence is a cool word, with lots of marketing value attached to it. It looks good in
advertisements and sounds impressive in tag lines. Network, terminal end, telecom, datacom,
broadcasting, IT, voice, data, video, computer telephony… there are as many definitions
as there are stakeholders.

Without going into the specifics like what should be included and what should not, we give
a definition here which is quite broad, all embracing, and so naturally not very helpful for those
who want to jump to examples. Like modern physicists, it tries to put a unified picture,
a sort of Theory of Everything (ToE). Yet, one will not be surprised if some still find it correct
yet inadequate, the most common phrase to describe all these definitions.

Convergence refers to the blurring of dividing lines among traditionally distinct products and
services, technologies, markets, industries, and regulatory structures.

[size=18]Concern:[/size]


While no one can deny that convergence is happening today, there is a wide gap between
the perception and reality regarding the nature, extent, and pace of convergence at different levels
such as infrastructure, consumer devices, markets, and regulation. For example, while more of
the talks revolve around accessing Internet from cellphone or through television sets, they are not a
large-scale commercial reality anywhere in the world. But a less glamorous convergence like
Intelligent Networks at the carrier infrastructure level or Internet over cable (not through TV, but
through cable modem and PC) are realities.

This has primarily three reasons. One, the network has to be ready for offering new services and
capability before the end user can access it through fancy consumer devices with new capabilities.
Two, the service providers have traditionally been in one business (telecom, broadcasting, etc.)
and they want to expand the scope of that business by diversifying to other services or offering newer
services. Hence, they are adopting newer technologies for the purpose. Last but not the
least, selling to the service providers is more focused and the selling cycle time is lower. For consumers,
it requires a lot of marketing effort.


http://voicendata.ciol.com/content/convergence/199120108.asp

[size=18]Convergence Presumption:[/size]


Theory proposing that collective behaviour is the result of people with similar interests coming together
and acting upon those interests. People at a sporting event, for example, often have similar class,
racial, or residential backgrounds to which they strongly identify. Consequently, they are likely to respond
similarly to precipitating agents.



Aging Coffee Break. . .