Convergence : user expectations, communications enablers and business opportunities / Christian Saxtoft.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Saxtoft, Christian.

Series:

Telecoms explained

Telecoms explained series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Telecommunication.

Business--Communication systems.

Business.

Physical Description:

xxii, 228 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.

Place of Publication:

Hoboken, N.J. : John Wiley, [2008]

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 strategies.

Convergence 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.

Contents:

Part I Experience of the End-User 1

Chapter 1 Communications in a User Perspective 3

1.1 History of the Communications Services Users 4

1.2 The 'Long Tail' 6

1.3 A Fragmented User Community 10

1.4 Knowledge: A Human Resource 11

Chapter 2 The Convergence Culture Square 17

2.1 Different Dimensions to Convergence 17

2.2 Social Changes 19

2.2.1 Consumer Production 19

2.2.2 A Participatory Culture 20

2.3 Convergence in Thinking 23

2.4 Change Management Challenges 24

2.5 Value Perception 25

2.5.1 Management of User Expectations 26

2.5.2 Terminal-Based Services 28

Part II Convergent Business Models 31

Chapter 3 Market Trends and Predictions 33

3.1 Towards End-User Focus 33

3.2 Changing Patterns in the Communications Industry 34

3.2.1 Classification of CSPs 35

3.2.2 User Behaviour 36

3.3 Important Market Characteristics 37

3.4 Value Systems in the Communications Industry 39

3.4.1 Sustainable Competitive Advantage 41

3.4.2 Brand Value 41

3.4.3 Psychological Factors that Influence Consumers 43

3.4.4 End-User Influence on the Value System 44

3.5 Value Grid in the Communications Industry 45

Chapter 4 Structures and Strategies 51

4.1 The Competitive Environment 51

4.2 Diminishing Control 54

4.3 Web 2.0-Driven Business Models 55

4.4 The Sphere of Influence 57

4.5 User Expectations 60

4.6 Advertising 64

4.6.1 Contents-Sensitive Advertising 65

4.6.2 User Privacy Versus User Benefits 68

4.6.3 Respect for the User 70

Chapter 5 Strategic Opportunities 75

5.1 Generic Business Strategies 76

5.2 Quality Versus Cost: A Trade-Off 78

5.3 'Lean Operator' and Beyond 81

Part III Technologies and Services 85

Chapter 6 Enabling Technologies 87

6.1 Core Network Technologies and Systems 88

6.1.1 IP Multimedia Subsystem 88

6.1.2 Service Delivery Framework 91

6.2 Access Network Technologies and Systems 92

6.2.1 Fixed-Line Access 92

6.2.2 Wireless Access 94

6.3 Consumer Products 97

6.3.1 Mobile Terminal Evolution 98

6.3.2 Home Entertainment Hub 99

Chapter 7 Convergent Services and Systems 103

7.1 Services on Mobile Terminals 104

7.2 Television and Video Services 106

7.2.1 IPTV 106

7.2.2 Internet Video 108

7.2.3 Mobile TV 108

7.2.4 Digital TV Broadcasting 109

7.3 Other Convergent Services 110

7.3.1 Music Downloading 110

7.3.2 Radio Listening 111

7.4 Fixed-Mobile Convergence 111

Part IV Business Processes in Convergent Communications Markets 115

Chapter 8 Management of Convergent Services 117

8.1 Enterprise Software Environment 118

8.1.1 Customer Relationship Management 120

8.1.2 Enterprise Resource Planning 122

8.1.3 Operations Support Systems 122

8.1.4 Business Support Systems 124

8.2 Enterprise System Integration Challenges 124

8.2.1 Enterprise Architecture Frameworks 126

8.2.2 Service-Oriented Architecture 127

8.3 Enterprise Process Optimization 129

8.3.1 Telecommunications Process Framework 129

8.3.2 IT Process Framework 131

8.3.3 Cross-network Optimization Challenges 132

8.3.4 Process Mapping 135

8.3.5 Simplified Process Loops 136

8.4 Methodologies for Business Process Optimization 139

8.4.1 Business Process Management 140

8.4.2 BPM Automation 142

Chapter 9 New Business Opportunities 145

9.1 The Network - a Managed Dynamic Business Asset 145

9.1.1 Business Opportunity Management 146

9.1.2 A Business Management Paradigm Shift 147

9.1.3 Business Data Requirements 148

9.2 Knowledge Based Organisations 149

9.2.1 Scarcity of Network Capacity 151

9.2.2 Scarcity of Service Innovation 153

9.2.3 Scarcity of Customer Attention 157

9.2.4 Scarcity of Business Evolution 158

9.3 Opportunities in Outsourcing 161

Chapter 10 Management of User Expectations 165

10.1 Mobile Terminals and Convergence of Services 166

10.2 Control of End-User QoE 167

10.3 Terminal Characteristics and User Preferences 170

10.4 CSP Crossroads 174

Chapter 11 Billing and Convergent Charging 177

11.1 Convergent Charging System Architecture 178

11.1.1 Hybrid Tariffs 180

11.1.2 Mobile Payment 181

11.2 Standardized Charging and Billing Frameworks 182

11.3 Data Sources in Charging and Billing Systems 183

11.3.1 Charging Data 183

11.3.2 Billing Data 184

Part V Convergence and Beyond 187

Chapter 12 Innovation and New Opportunities 189

12.1 Categories of Innovation 190

12.1.1 Scope of Innovation Processes 190

12.1.2 Depth of Innovation Processes 191

12.2 Methods to Facilitate Innovation 192

12.2.1 Execution Processes 193

12.2.2 Creativity Processes 194

12.3 Innovation Frameworks 195

12.3.1 Theory of Inventive Problem Solving 196

12.3.2 Organizational Challenges 198

12.4 Convergence of Experience 199

12.4.1 Human Interfaces 199

12.4.2 Social Networking 200

12.5 Future Trends 201

12.5.1 Beyond Web 2.0 202

12.5.2 Crossing the Line 203

Chapter 13 The Future of Communications 207

13.1 A Different Paradigm 208

13.1.1 Changes to the Value Chain 209

13.1.2 Convergence Culture 214

13.2 The New Challenges 215

13.2.1 The Competence Trap 215

13.2.2 Eight Primary Challenges and Opportunities 217

13.2.3 Overview of Challenges and Opportunities 221

13.3 The New Horizons 222.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

047072708X

9780470727089

OCLC:

216662707