Convergence Is For Pioneers

The textbooks define convergence as voice, data, and videotraffic travelling over a single network. But, in reality, different people viewthe term differently. For some it means the coming together of all devices likethe PC, TV, fax machine, mobile phone, etc. For others it simply means theability of the consumer to provide a single bill for all the communicationsservices enjoyed. While for the technology leaders convergence lies in inventingdevices capable of handling every kind of communication, for the serviceproviders it signifies the ability to provide every form of communication overthe same infrastructure. For the end-user, the real significance of convergencelies in the low costs, ease, reliability, and effectiveness of the services hedesires.

Interestingly, this is leading to another form ofconvergence: Convergence of businesses and corporates. Telecom vendors areacquiring datacom companies (and vice-versa); ISPs are entering theentertainment field. Such mergers, take overs, and amalgamations are mundanenews these days.

One thing is certain amidst all these differing perceptions.Convergence is happening. And happening all around us–in the technologies, theservices, the products. The pioneers are out there implementing it–realigningcorporate structures, strategizing, laying fibres, and adopting new leading edgetechnologies. And the consumer, who has even the slightest inkling of what liesahead, is all excited.

V&D fully understands the changing context ofcommunications in the wake of the convergence phenomenon. And we owe it to ourreaders to focus on this important and critical change. We have also attemptedto re-package the magazine to make it more modern, reader friendly, apart fromgiving information in a more organized way.

Hope you find the attempt valuable for your needs. Please donot hesitate to write to us your valuable suggestions on the change. After all,we also want to converge with the expectations of our readers.

Ibrahim Ahmed