3G Americas Publishes White Paper

US : Convergence--encompassing the convergence between media, datacom and telecommunication industries--is the topic of the latest report from 3G Americas, a wireless industry group supporting GSM and its evolution to 3G and beyond. The 3G Americas white paper, Convergence: An Outlook on Device, Service, Network and Technology Trends, analyzes the broad definition of convergence beyond the physical integration of wireline and wireless technologies and explains what convergence aims to achieve for end-users, its drivers and enablers, and its implications on relevant industries and companies.

Chris Pearson, President of 3G Americas commented, "Various components to deliver convergence are technologically ready -- devices, networks, services, and technologies -- and their convergence could impact most communication and information industries." Pearson continued," A unified service experience for 'any time, anywhere, any device' access can occur through multiple connection methods being developed and studied by operators."

The white paper examines the components of convergence, provides an overview of the enabling technologies for full convergence such as HTTP/SIP, IPv6, VoIP, IMS, UMA and a host of radio access technologies and addresses how together they will facilitate Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC). The report postulates that FMC is facilitating an environment in which voice, data, and media are harmonized and efficiently delivered across an all IP-based architecture.

"The real questions are, what do people really want from communications and media and how can converged technologies and drivers be leveraged to deliver on those needs?" stated Vicki Livingston, 3G Americas' Director of Marketing. She added, "Convergence has become a business requirement reality as operators are evaluating how to build customer loyalty, minimize churn, launch new services, reduce operating expenditures and increase ARPU."

Technology enablers for convergence are in place with multi-radio terminals, digitalization of content, broad deployment of IP, complementary multi-access networks, and common core networks and service platforms. With several traditional boundaries removed, opportunity lies ahead with convergence that may significantly impact a broad cross-section of industries.

Convergence: An Outlook on Device, Service, Network and Technology Trends white paper was collaboratively developed by 3G Americas' board member companies and is available for free download at the 3G Americas' website: www.3gamericas.org.

About 3G Americas: Unifying the Americas through Wireless Technology
The mission of 3G Americas is to promote and facilitate the seamless deployment throughout the Americas of GSM and its evolution to 3G and beyond. The organization fully supports the Third Generation technology migration strategy to EDGE and UMTS/HSDPA adopted by many operators in the Americas that is expected to account for up to 85% of next-generation customers worldwide. 3G Americas is headquartered in Bellevue, WA with an office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Dallas, TX.