by Javier Solis Garcia
18. November 2009 11:24
Fixed-mobile convergence is gaining momentum in Europe, especially for business communication services.
Telefónica, one of the world’s largest telecommunications operators that has embraced both the fixed and mobile telephony businesses, is now further reinforcing this and has recently announced that Telefónica O2 is working with British Telecom to offer converged services in the United Kingdom.
Vodafone is also positioning in this space. Already providing fixed telephony in countries such as Germany, Italy and Spain, fixed line service revenues grew significantly in 2008. In fact, Vodafone recently secured a deal with British Telecom Ireland to purchase their consumer and small business operation.
Will this be just the tip of the iceberg? While it may be driven by business communications, with small businesses and medium enterprises seeing a value in having a single communications provider, the strategy opens the door for new services combining broadband data, TV, and presence.