SMEs bulk at FMC services

Only 5% of phone subscribers are expected to be using Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) services by 2013, says a report from research firm Informa.

FMC is seen as an ideal way for SoHo and SME operations to cut their comms bills, as it enables them to use cheaper fixed phone lines with a mobile phone when in range.

Informa said, "Convergence has taken a battering in recent months as operators have failed to deliver the mass of subscribers they promised with the offer of multi-platform converged devices.

"FMC subscribers are expected to increase by 2013, but these subscribers are only forecast to equate to around 5% of the global market at this time."

The forecast for 2013 comes after widespread hype about the benefits FMC. However, companies such as BT have found little take-up for FMC services, which see a single phone provided to link to both fixed-line and mobile phone networks.

The Informa Telecoms and Media forecast is that over 190m subscribers will be FMC users by 2013.

Informa report

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