Convergence

Question 1

What is convergence? Give an educated example of convergence

Answer 1

• In the context of computing and technology, convergence is the integration of two or more different technologies in a single device or system.
• Convergence is the merging of distinct technologies, industries or devices into a unified unit.
• For example, the convergence of communication and imaging technologies on a mobile device designed to make calls and take pictures - two unrelated technologies that converge on a single device.

Question 2

What are the benefits of convergence?

Answer 2

• the cost of deployment is highly reduced
• the cost of management and maintenance is reduced
• a single infrastructure has to be deployed

Question 3

What are the opportunities brought by convergence?

Answer 3

• offer a unique global interconnection network for all the communication services and needs with a reduced cost
• possibility to address new markets where the previous networks were too expensive

Question 4

What are the main limitations of convergence?

Answer 4

A system does not fit all:

• different governance – the systems are administered differently
• different configuration – the systems have a different deployment
• functionality customization – different functionality is needed

The added-value:

• two competitive systems will try to differentiate between them through the creation of added-value services, e.g. remote voice box, answering machine
• the larger the difference, the easier is for the operator to create an own image
• At one moment. The system requires to be though not as an old system with added value, but as a new system all together

Question 5

Which services have already converged in a telecom network?

Answer 5

• Fixed Telephony
• Mobile Telephony
• Internet Access
• TV & Content Distribution

Question 6

Which networks have already converged in a telecommunication system?

Answer 6

• GSM (2G) and UMTS (Universal Mobile Terrestrial System 3G) share the same core network. Same components, fully unified, only different radios for connection with older devices.

Question 7

What are the next networks supposed to converge?

Answer 7

• satellite networks
• home automation / remote control
• critical infrastructures
• car-to-x communication
• factory automation

Question 8

Which are the main characteristics of a carrier grade network?

Answer 8

• Operator wide AAA functionality

-	QoS insurance
       \+ Network Availability – Coverage
       \+ Radio Resource Reservation
       \+ Device Power Control
       \+ Predictable service with guaranteed and non-guaranteed resources

• Mobility support
  + Ubiquitous services
  + Zero packet loss handover support
  + Guaranteed service
• Security

Question 9

Which are characteristics of carrier-grade networks?

Answer 9

• extremely reliable
• well tested
• 5 nines or even 6 nines
• Charging
• Emergency Calls
• Lawful interception
• Device management
• Access Network Discovery and Selection

Question 10

What does „4-nines“ mean?

Answer 10

• the system is active 99.99% of the time