Fixed-mobile network convergence will be while yet

Achieving fixed-mobile ICT (information and communications technology) network convergence will only happen when existing international networks have evolved to provide a unified, flexible IP-based multi-service network. And that will also involve establishing a new broadband value chain with existing and new technology and service providers on the journey from today’s IP and MPLS (multi-protocol label switching), to VDSL (very high speed DSL) and fiber optics and finally a full NGN network in the future. That was the gist of the message from Wang Jin, vice president of next generation networks (NGN) developer Huawei Technologies Europe at the 21st Century Communications World Forum and conference, which opened its doors in London today. Huawei also led a workshop on ‘A common IP-centric network infrastructure for fixed mobile convergence’, along with British Telecom, France Telecom, Telecom Italia, China Telecom, and consulting firm Ovum. Joy Huang, Huawei’s resident expert in NGN, sees a strong link between network convergence and industry convergence. He believes that a FMC (fixed-mobile convergence) hierarchical architecture needs to be built in stages for gradual development of customer integrated services. IP and optical networks should also be gradually integrated, he says, while MPLS and Ethernet should be developed to carrier-class level.