FMC or Fixed Mobile Convergence is a concept ready to bloom. The ultimate goal of FMC is to optimize transmission of all data, voice and video communications to end users and their applications using a single device that operates on both wired and wireless networks. The challenge is to make sure connections are not dropped between access points and that services can be uniformly delivered and billed for any access technology. FMC needs to support the integration of Bluetooth, 3G and Wifi connectivity in a single mobile handset, letting users make hands-free voice calls at less cost over Wifi networks, browse the internet and use other data applications over mobile infrastructure.

Today, we’ve got separate networks for our mobile phones and the corporate PBX. Thus, we have two phones, two contact lists, two interfaces, etc. All of these devices and none of them talk to one another. It’s enough to make a robot cry.

But help is on the way. Trying to break away from the stranglehold of mobile providers Sprint, AT&T and Verizon, handset makers Nokia and Research In Motion are introducing handsets that are “dual mode”. These phones not only work on the mobile network but through SIP technology, they can also be a wireless device that works on the corporate PBX.

As an example, when you are out and about you’ll be on the traditional mobile network. However, step foot into your office and the phone switches to become your pbx phone. Very cool for users. And HR loves it as they now have more control over corporate phone calls, important in these days of regulatory compliance, including HIPAA and Sarbanes Oxley. The bean counters are fans too as traffic gets routed over low cost pbx circuits instead of chewing up valuable cell minutes.

So, what are you waiting for? Well, a few things, actually. First, you need a robust wireless network in your office with the ability to provide voice QOS to ensure quality voice transmissions. Of course, you need a SIP dual mode phone. Lastly it requires that your PBX supports the SIP standard protocol. In a few short years, all pbx’es will be written to the SIP standard. However, today the choices are more limited.

Research In Motion has taken an early lead in this new space with their BlackBerry Mobile Voice System (BlackBerry MVS) converging office desk phones and BlackBerry smartphones.

Here’s a blurb from a recent marketing piece they did:

BlackBerry smartphone users can access enterprise desk phone options directly from the menu interface of the BlackBerry phone application, while at the same time securely authenticating to the organization’s enterprise telephony system (PBX). BlackBerry MVS also gives IT administrators the control to set voice policies on the BlackBerry smartphone, so that inbound and outbound calls use the enterprise line. This allows for all mobile calls to be logged or recorded for compliance with regulatory or corporate standards.

Single Phone Number Convenience

BlackBerry MVS offers convenience and ease-of-use so BlackBerry smartphone users can:

• Give out a single phone number that simultaneously rings their desk phone and smartphone
• Place, receive and manage enterprise calls, as well as use desk phone features such as transfer, park and extension dialing on their smartphone
• Make calls from their BlackBerry smartphone that will be identified as originating from their desk phone
• Access voicemail in one consolidated location
• Access advanced desk phone functionality easily with the intuitive, menu-driven interface

They have a compelling demo at http://www.blackberry.com/select/demos/mvs/

Two of Teledynamic’s product lines support SIP – the Interactive Intelligence Enterprise Telephony System and the 3Com VCX PBX. As you might guess, we’d be happy to show all the advantages of owning a new SIP-based phone system. Support of wireless phones is just one such appealing benefit.

Let me know your thoughts.

Randy Kremlacek

Teledynamic Communications provides free educational materials about telecommunications on an ongoing basis to our subscribers and customers. The company provides a complete range of VOIP, telecom and data solutions for business.

When Cisco and3Com introduced the IP PBX in late 1998, their desk phones were quite limited in functionality but had a “new technology” feel to them and were readily embraced by buyers.  It didn’t take long for IP PBX manufacturers to catch on to this wave of interest and design telephones with large screen menus and brushed silver bezels.  These new phones were really a hit.  It wasn’t unusual for buyers to spend up to $1,000 for a fancy new IP phone with a color screen, web-browsing and other features rarely used.

However, that seems to be changing rapidly.  Phones are being replaced by devices.  Huh, you say?   Softphones eliminate the desk phone.   Smart wireless phones are serving dual purpose – they function as a cell phone outside of the office and as a mobile office phone within the business.  Microsoft’s Office Communicator has a built-in softphone.  Any IP-enabled product could conceivably be a phone.  Thus, the change from “phone” to “device”.  It’s funny, I’ve heard a multitude of names for phones over the years:  Station, set, phone, terminal, handset and now device.

So after many years of experts prognosticating the disappearance of the common desk phone, to be swallowed up by the data network may finally be coming true.   Certainly desk phones won’t be obsolete tomorrow, but rather they’ll be just another “device” from which to choose.  My prediction is that these devices will blossom and users will have an overwhelming array of products from which to choose.   It’s likely that users will find something that fits them just perfectly.  Good luck to the IT department in supporting this potpourri of new technology!

tell me what you think.

Randy Kremlacek