Editing Convergence

== Definitions ==

=== General ===

'''Convergence''' is 

{{Quote|most commonly expressed as:
* the ability of different [[network]] [[platform]]s to carry essentially similar kinds of services, or
* the coming together of consumer [[device]]s such as the [[telephone]], [[television]] and [[personal computer]].<ref>[[Towards an Information Society Approach]], at 1.</ref>}}

{{Quote|the unification of all earlier [[media]] forms ([[print]], [[audio]], [[video]], [[animation]], and [[telephone]]) in a single [[medium]] brought about by [[digital technologies]]. In the broader sense convergence is also referred to in the context of [[network convergence]] (the efficient coexistence of [[voice]], [[video]] and [[data communication]] within a single [[network]]) and [[platform convergence]].<ref>[[Background Report on Cross Media Rating and Classification and Age Verification Solutions]], at 5.</ref>}}

=== Telecommunications ===

'''Convergence''' is

{{Quote|a process over a 3-to-5 year period of [[NGN]] evolution during which traditional [[circuit-switched network]]s (including the [[Advanced Intelligent Network]] ([[AIN]])) and [[IP]]-based [[data network]]s will coexist and [[interoperate]] to enable [[end-to-end]] [[transmission]] of [[voice communication]]s, until [[IP]] based [[network]]s subsume [[circuit-switched network]]s.<ref>[[Information Technology Progress Impact Task Force Report on Convergence]], at 2.</ref>}}

=== Wireless ===

'''Convergence''' is

{{Quote|[t]he point at which all the [[Internet]]-working [[device]]s share a common understanding of the [[routing]] [[topology]].<ref>[[NSTAC Report to the President on Communications Resiliency]], at C-2.</ref>}}

== Overview ==

The U.S. [[communications infrastructure]] consists of many different [[technologies]] and [[system]]s. For over a century, each of these developed independently from the others, and different [[regulatory]] structures were developed to manage the distinct characteristics of each industry. 

For example, the [[telephone system]], which was designed to provide two-way voice communications, operated as a virtual monopoly for almost a century based on the principles of [[common carriage]] and [[universal service]]. The broadcasting industry, both radio and television, concentrated on delivering one-way [[information]] and entertainment to a wide local audience, and has been regulated as a user of a scarce resource, the [[radiofrequency spectrum]]. [[Satellite]]s have been providing national and international connections for voice, [[data]], television and radio signals for many years. The [[cellular]] industry uses radio waves to extend the reach of the [[telephone network]] to [[mobile]] users. And finally, the [[computer industry]] has developed with little government regulation, except in connection with certain technical aspects. Each of these industries provided a different service based on different technologies, and consequently has been subjected to different rules and regulations. 

As a result of [[digitization]] and the increasing use of [[computer processing]] power in more and more [[telecommunication]]s applications, however, [[system]]s and [[service]]s that once were separate have now begun to overlap. 

{{Quote|The rise of [[digital communication]], associated with [[computer technology]], has led to the irreversible melding of what were once the separate fields of [[communications]] and [[computer]]s, with [[data]] forming an increasing share of what is being [[transmit]]ted over the [[digital]]ly modulated [[fiber-optic cable]]s spanning the nation and the world."<ref> [[Making IT Better: Expanding Information Technology Research to Meet Society's Needs]], at 24.</ref>}}

This convergence is not merely the result of combining [[computer]]s with [[communication]]s, but of combining many [[service]]s and [[application]]s that historically had been separate. Thus, convergence can be separated into three distinct phenomena: 

#'''Convergence of technology,''' where [[computer]] power and [[communications technologies]] are integrated to improve functionality and offer new [[application]]s. For example, the marriage of [[computer]] power to radio technology was crucial in enabling [[cellular telephone]]s to be developed. [[Computer]]s [[route]] calls to the correct [[cell]]s and handle [[hand-off]]s as [[mobile]] users move from one [[cell]] to another. The [[network]]s that allow [[cellular]] users to [[roam]] are actually [[interconnect]]ed [[computer database]]s. 
#'''Convergence of applications,''' where voice, [[data]], and [[video]] services can be offered over the same [[network]]. Today, [[network]]s of all kinds &mdash; whether originally developed to [[transmit]] voice, [[data]], or video &mdash; are being improved in order to carry all kinds of information in many different combinations.
#'''Convergence of networks and companies''' through [[merger]]s, [[acquisition]]s, and [[joint venture]]s. This type of convergence is not between similar technologies and providers, but a combination of systems.

== Impact of convergence ==

"ICT convergence significantly impacts [[consumer]]s, industries, and governments. For [[consumer]]s, the integration of [[smart device]]s with [[peripheral device]]s, [[ubiquitous]] [[network]]s, and robust [[cloud]] [[data center]]s is changing experiences involving [[entertainment]], travel, healthcare, and shopping. For industry, ICT convergence extends [[employee]] [[productivity]] with [[collaborative]] tools, reduces travel expense with [[videoconferencing]], and enables [[customized]] products to develop across many industries."<ref>[[The Global Information Technology Report 2012: Living in a Hyperconnected World]], at xiv.</ref>

== References ==
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[[Category:Business]]
[[Category:Definition]]
[[Category:Telecommunications]]