The cellular phone has single-handedly changed the way that we communicate with the world. As more and more people are losing their traditional telephone service in favor of their mobile phone, the next trend in the telecommunications world is the development of Fixed to Mobile Convergence (FMC), which gives you the ability to switch seamlessly from your cellular network to a land line network infrastructure, and back again. It is expected that by the year 2010 the idea of Fixed Mobile Convergence will be common in the telecommunications industry.



With the slipping revenues shared by the traditional telephone companies, combined with the increasing number of people using IP networks to carry date and voice, are creating a model that is transitioning from long distance call, to a model based on a calling person. This may sound confusing but in the end this means the inevitable end of long distance charges when you make a phone call.

With FMC a user would be able to take advantage of the cellular networks outside without ever having to sacrifice connectivity for better mobility. When a user enters an indoor environment which is a place where many cell phone calls get dropped, a converged handset will detect the presence of a wireless network and automatically switches to a lower frequency, keeping the call quality up throughout the change. The key that makes FMC successful is the handset. There are several different models that you can purchase that have the ability to switch from cellular to WiFi networks. As they become more popular the prices begin to decrease, and also are dependant on the types of plans offered by the carrier.

When it was announced that Apple would be releasing their own multi-functional cellular device, it was said that the carrier who would be offering service for the new phone would be Cingular Communications which is now AT&T Wireless. They will likely be the implementers of cellular to WiFi calling plans. One of these current examples of a recently released fixed to mobile convergence is the AT&T Unity Plan. This plan allows subscribers to call anyone nationwide who is also a subscriber of AT&T wireless or wire line free of charge and without restriction.

The Apple iPhone will run on the most recent MAC operating system for the Internet and video functions, and also comes equipped with a digital camera, the ability to run Google maps, texting, conference calling, as well as multimedia messaging. The iPhone will also have Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity to ensure that you are fully connected at all times. I have yet to mention one of the best parts about the iPhone, it is also a video iPod. Apple is going to have a release date for the iPhone in June, 2007. Be sure to be one of the first to get yours at a store near you. The 4GB version will cost you $499 and for double the memory at 8GB it will cost you $599. Be the envy of all of your friends and have the coolest new mobile device that money can buy.