IMS and IN vendor Outsmart has announced the results of an FMC-market survey conducted by BBDO Consulting. These show that over 65% of fixed and mobile operators will have implemented Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) services into their product suites over the next three years, while within the FMC market the survey found a dual-mode handset to be the most recognizable type of FMC service, with 75% of respondents' identification. In addition to focusing on the FMC market in general, the survey also focused on specific FMC services and brand recognition of major FMC service providers. The survey participants included operators, vendors, analysts, VCs, SI and others. Dr. Erez Manhaimer from BBDO Consulting explains, "The sample group included subjects from various management levels from over 30 operators worldwide. This enabled us to get a significant overview of the different perceptions in the growing FMC market and to better understand the trends within the industry."

When asked to define the types of services or benefits they associate with FMC, and being able to mention more than one, 75% of respondents chose a dual-mode handset. Others solutions included one phone bill (34%), a home zone rate plan (27%), voicemail convergence (13%), a Skype-like solution (9%), or other (11%). Respondents were able to mention more than one type of service.

As for planning to implement FMC into their services, 26% of respondents said they have already implemented it, 11% said they planned on implementing some services by the end of the year, 18% said they planned on doing it by next year, while 13% said they intended to implement some FMC services within the next 3 years. 13% of respondents did not yet plan to implement FMC into their service, and 19% said it was not relevant.

With regards to specific types of FMC services, such as a converged service that allows one to make calls on their mobile line over a PC, more than 91% of respondents said they would use the product either while travelling abroad, at home, or in the office, while just 9% said they would not use the product at all. 84% of respondents said they would use FMC services, with 55% saying they would utilise both at home and in the office, 21% saying they would use it only at home, 8% saying they would use it only for the office, and 13% saying the wouldn't use these services at all.
www.OutsmartTelecom.com