Convergence of all media to IP network

Description:

By "convergence" in this context is meant the accessibility of Video/TV, Telephony and Internet services all from the IP Network rather than having to rely on separate infrastructures for each - the industry today can be seen as being made up of three vertically integrated silos with each different service (voice, data, video) being carried over a different type of network infrastructure. Technological convergence is breaking down these silos and will eventually result in all types of content and applications running, and being available to subscribers, over the same (IP) network. The transition can be thought of as replacing the rigid vertical structure of the silos with horizontal layering as follows: 1. The top layer made up of services; 2. The bottom layer made up of network access and transport; and 3. The middle layer being the IP network, cementing 1 and 2 together.

Enablers:

- technology advancement - driven by desire of human beings for convenience - cost reduced by virtue of the fact that different hardware not required for each individual service

Inhibitors:

- barriers to entry - rejection of trend towards rapid development and modernisation - cost of effecting technological upgrades

Paradigms:

Convenient, always available, reliable, costless access to TV/Video, Telephony and Internet services

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