Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC)

Terminology

Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) is determination for technological solutions on a joint of the fixed and mobile communication networks by means of which the service with the vista number shot servicing office and mobile phones without use of physical office automatic telephone exchange forms.

According to other determinations, FMC is internal network with a unified number plan and uniform rules of call management on office and mobile phones.

In the networks supporting convergence of mobile and fixed connection, use of services is transparent: mobile subscribers, as well as users of devices of fixed connection use all range of available services - voice, video, deliveries of e-mails and other information, at the same time without caring for channels of content delivery and a manner of interaction with^[1].

In Russia the term FMC was understood as everything that belonged to integration of communication networks, but there was no complete solution (was considered that separately such preferences for clients as the uniform account, uniform number, a flat fare for the fixed and mobile communication - is an essence of FMC).

Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC), according to modern treatment, is defined how the initial stage of development of a segment of the unified (joint) communications (Unified Communications, UC)^[2]. Unified communications mean full range of services:

• audio-,
• video,
• web conferences,
• applications for joint work,
• management of personal data,
• multimedia applications, etc., available in the fixed networks, as well as mobile networks.

By the beginning of 2015 in the Russian market of convergent services the category of the hybrid solutions integrating cloud telephony and mobile communication was already created.

Features of technology

• FMC is directed to simplification of business processes at simultaneous expense optimization on providing with communication;
• Economy on one SIM card makes up to 30% due to reduction of time of dialing and tariff options;
• An opportunity to set different processing rules of calls, for example availability of employees on days of the week, working hours;
• Creation of an algorithm of readdressing of a call in case of unavailability of one of employees, on other employees.
• Unified plan of numbering for office and mobile phones (admissible digit capacity of short numbers — 3-6 digits);
• Usual office short numbering at calls from the mobile phone to office and in the closed group (it is available through the access code to service of FMC appointed to the client within service);
• Profitable rate for long-distance and trunk calls;
• Availability of service on any mobile tariff plan.

The solutions FMC in the market of Russia

In 2008 VimpelCom (Beeline Business) brought the industrial version of Fixed-Mobile Convergence to the market. Service is provided in cooperation with operators of wire communication Golden Telecom and Orange Business Services - the Orange Business Services^[3].

The corporate clients who subscribed on access to FMC of VimpelCom receive several advantages: they can use uniform number for calls on office and mobile phones of employees, turn on cell phones in the corporate plan of numbering, save at calls in corporate group. At the same time VimpelCom makes out clients a uniform bill for services of the fixed and mobile communication.

The Moscow MegaFon created Voice B2B service - it provides operational interaction of the companies with clients who can address in help desk of the supplier from mobile phones and on the selected short number. The calls arriving on the short number automatically go on PSTN network to real number of corporate help desk. For mobile clients these connections are free: calls are paid by the host party. In terms of the scheme of payments the Voice B2B service is similar to service of a free call on numbers of series 800 on the public service networks.

Notes