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ConvergenceTraditionally, communications media were separate and their services were distinct. Broadcasting, voice telephony and on-line computer services were different and operated on different platforms: TV and radio sets, telephones and computer. Each of these was regulated differently by different regulators. Convergence is the combination of all these different media into one operating platform. It is the merger of telecom, data processing and imaging technologies. This convergence is ushering in a new epoch of multimedia, in which voice, data and images are combined to render services to the users.
There are five forms of convergence, these forms are not totalities, however, they cover, to a large extent, the noticeable forms of convergence:
Functional convergence implies that technology today offers more functions and services more that they were initially designed to. Convergence is when, for instance, radio and television and other communication systems simultaneously provide service to the consumers. It provides multi-services, it is the coming together of broadcasting; telecom and computing, with a single channel of distribution through which the individual consumer will receive a wide variety of existing functions and services accessed via single screen (Mitchell 1997). Convergence actually implies moving towards one point or moving towards one another. It is the upgrading and merger of the previously separated communication sectors through the advancement of computer technology and digital technology. Convergence makes it possible for one element to provide multi-service. An illustrated example of this is in the mobile phone, which was initially designed for voice communications. These days cell phones offer more functions: They offer print and text media as in the Short Message Service (SMS); they provide reception links to radio stations and access to broadcast information, they provide links to access the web, they capture, send and receive pictures and so forth. New generation of mobile phones are designed to capture video images. Technological convergence points to the way technologies are increasingly converging into one. The availability of carrier technology with high bandwidth means that, transmission is not limited to voice only, now data, picture and other multimedia and interactive media can be transported in one single carrier technology like the fibre optic cable and satellite technology. One other noticeable technology that perhaps is the epitome of convergence technology is the Computer technology. This technology provides the most striking convergent service: Internet. The Internet combines all know communication media into one single service on a computer screen. Braman (1998) notes that economic convergence occurs when an industry becomes dominated by oligopoly. When the individuality of organization yields to a more collective forms due to networking relationship. There is also a blurring of industrial lines. For instance telecom companies are converging through series of mergers and acquisition deals, telecom companies are moving into new telecom market in addition to their traditional markets. For example, a telephone company converging Internet service provision into its operation. The convergence of telecommunications and information technology has also led to a geographical convergence. This has led to theoretical conception of the world as a global village, where interactions and communication are no longer hindered by distance. The satellite helps facilitate communication irrespective of geographical location. Information sent from Iceland could be received instantaneously in Burundi via telecommunications link up. Observers also believe that due to the convergence of economic and communication activities. Nations around the world are gradually converging into regional blocs, driven by the ambition of pragmatic economic and social concerns. The tendency towards a globalised society is a typical instance of a political convergence. National regulators are gradually converging into regional authority to manage the ICT in the region. Decisions affecting the ICT sector world wide are being made from a single entity/organization. Example is the WTO’s reference paper on Telecom. This paper gives guidelines for transactions and operations in the telecom sector. Many countries around the world have accepted the WTO’s guidelines in their telecom sector. Convergence is not limited to technology. In fact the convergence of technology has resulted in the convergence of other social phenomenon of in the communication sector. It has led to the convergence of hitherto different regulatory institutions. For example, in South Africa the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) was the broadcasting sector regulator, while South African Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (SATRA) regulated telecommunications. The increasing convergence of broadcasting and telecommunications led to the merging of these authorities. The two authorities eventually became merged as Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), to regulate the entire communications sector. Convergence has also raised several debates about classification of certain telecommunications services. As the lines between data transmission, audio cast and voice transmission are eroded, regulators are faced with the task of how best to classify the converging segments of the telecommunication sector. Example of this is Voice Over Internet (VOI). The debate is whether to consider this as part of Internet services and if so, it resides in the domain of Internet Service Providers or as a voice transmission which is the market domain of the local telephone operator. This is also problematic as VOI transcends local exchange, it could be a long distance voice exchange or an international voice exchange. References Braman, S. 1998. Liberalization and convergence. Pretoria: UNISA Cheong, K and Mullins 1991. International telephone service imbalances. Telecommunication Policy, Vol 15, Domberger, S. 1995. What does privatization achieve: a comment on Quiggin. The Australian Economic Review 110: 43-47. Gerber, R and Braun R 1998. New Connections: Telecommunications in a changing South Africa. Cape Town: UCT Press. Hudson H.E 1997. Converging technologies and changing realities: towards universal access to telecommunication in developing world Melody, W. H (ed) 1997. Telecom Reform: Principles, Politics and Regulation. Lyngby: Technical University of Denmark. International Engineering consortium, 2003. Fundamentals of Telecommunications. Available on http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/fund_telecom/index.html Khumalo, L and Sibanda, J. 1998. Telecommunications Made Simple. Randburg: Ravan Press. Lamberton, D. M. 1995. Technology, Information and Institution, in Lamberton, D. M. (ed.) Beyond Competition: The future of Telecommunications. Amsterdam: Elsevier Mitchell, J.1997 Convergent communication, fragmented regulation and consumer needs. Melody, W. H (ed) 1997. Telecom Reform: Principles, Politics and Regulation. Lyngby: Technical University of Denmark Nicol, M. 2003. Talking about a revolution. Sunday Times Insight 7-12-2003 Pisciotta, A. A. 1997. Global Trends in Privation and Liberalization. Melody, W. H (ed) 1997. Telecom Reform: Principles, Politics and Regulation. Lyngby: Technical University of Denmark. TelecomWriting.com, 2003. Packet switching/circuit switching. Available on http://www.privateline.com/switching/packet.html |
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