Convergence: User Expectations, Communications Enablers and Business Opportunities

by Christian Saxtoft (Nokia Siemens Networks)

• ISBN13: 9780470987780
• ISBN10: 0470987782
• eBook ISBN(s): 9780470987780
• Additional ISBN(s): 9780470987797
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-07-01
• Publisher: WILEY

Summary

Convergence: User Expectations, Communications Enablers and Business Opportunities offers a user-centric and business-oriented analysis of the rapidly changing communications industry. Clear summaries of key technology areas provide the backdrop for an extensive analysis of the expectations set by users and the challenges and opportunities this presents to companies.The process of convergence is characterised by complex interactions between different technical fields, business areas and end-user relations, where traditional telecommunications services, internet-based services and media broadcast services are blending into a continuum of rich new offerings. With these changes the existing hardwired links between user services and specific industry segments are rapidly dissolving. Presents guide to end-user market trends and expectations Includes models and analysis of new industry structures and dynamics Contains comprehensive discussion of innovation as a business driver Provides wide range of references to reflect the cross-disciplinary scope of convergence Offers motivation and suggestions for refocus of key business strategiesConvergence bridges the fields of business, economics, technology and social studies and analyses business models and practices from across a range of industry segments. The wide scope makes the book an ideal text for technically-minded executives, business-oriented engineers and anyone with an interest in the intricacies of the convergence triggered market changes.

Table of Contents

Introduction.List of Abbreviations.PART I: EXPERIENCE OF THE END-USER.Chapter 1: Communications in a User Perspective.1.1 History of the Communications Services Users.1.2 The 'Long Tail'.1.3 A Fragmented User Community.1.4 Knowledge: A Human Resource.1.5 Summary.1.6 References.Chapter 2: The Convergence Culture Square.2.1 Different Dimensions to Convergence.2.2 Social Changes.2.2.1 Consumer Production.2.2.2 A Participatory Culture.2.3 Convergence in Thinking.2.4 Change Management Challenges.2.5 Value Perception.2.5.1 Management of User Expectations.2.5.2 Terminal-Based Services.2.6 Summary.2.7 References.PART II: CONVERGENT BUSINESS MODELS.Chapter 3: Market Trends and Predictions.3.1 Towards End-User Focus.3.2 Changing Patterns in the Communications Industry.3.2.1 Classification of CSPs.3.2.2 User Behaviour.3.3 Important Market Characteristics.3.4 Value Systems in the Communications Industry.3.4.1 Sustainable Competitive Advantage.3.4.2 Brand Value.3.4.3 Psychological Factors that Influence Consumers.3.4.4 End-User Influence on the Value System.3.5 Value Grid in the Communications Industry.3.6 Summary.3.7 References.Chapter 4: Structures and Strategies.4.1 The Competitive Environment.4.2 Diminishing Control.4.3 Web 2.0-Driven Business Models.4.4 The Sphere of Influence.4.5 User Expectations.4.6 Advertising.4.6.1 Contents-Sensitive Advertising.4.6.2 User Privacy Versus User Benefits.4.6.3 Respect for the User.4.7 Summary.4.8 References.Chapter 5: Strategic Opportunities.5.1 Generic Business Strategies.5.2 Quality Versus Cost: A Trade-Off.5.3 'Lean Operator' and Beyond.5.4 Summary.5.5 References.PART III: TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES.Chapter 6: Enabling Technologies.6.1 Core Network Technologies and Systems.6.1.1 IP Multimedia Subsystem.6.1.2 Service Delivery Framework.6.2 Access Network Technologies and Systems.6.2.1 Fixed-Line Access.6.2.2 Wireless Access.6.3 Consumer Products.6.3.1 Mobile Terminal Evolution.6.3.2 Home Entertainment Hub.6.4 Summary.6.5 References.Chapter 7: Convergent Services and Systems.7.1 Services on Mobile Terminals.7.2 Television and Video Services.7.2.1 IPTV.7.2.2 Internet Video.7.2.3 Mobile TV.7.2.4 Digital TV Broadcasting.7.3 Other Convergent Services.7.3.1 Music Downloading.7.3.2 Radio Listening.7.4 Fixed-Mobile Convergence.7.5 Summary.7.6 References.PART IV: BUSINESS PROCESSES IN CONVERGENT COMMUNICATIONS MARKETS.Chapter 8: Management of Convergent Services.8.1 Enterprise Software Environment.8.1.1 Customer Relationship Management.8.1.2 Enterprise Resource Planning.8.1.3 Operations Support Systems.8.1.4 Business Support Systems.8.2 Enterprise System Integration Challenges.8.2.1 Enterprise Architecture Frameworks.8.2.2 Service-Oriented Architecture.8.3 Enterprise Process Optimization.8.3.1 Telecommunications Process Framework.8.3.2 IT Process Framework.8.3.3 Cross-network Optimization Challenges.8.3.4 Process Mapping.8.3.5 Simplified Process Loops.8.4 Methodologies for Business Process Optimization.8.4.1 Business Process Management.8.4.2 BPM Automation.8.5 Summary.8.6 References.Chapter 9: New Business Opportunities.9.1 The Network - a Managed Dynamic Business Asset.9.1.