The widespread use of the internet has set a course for unprecedented change in the telecom, media, and information technologies industries. The availability of open industry standards, intelligent devices, and useful applications has evolved the internet into a common platform for communicating, educating, creating, and socializing on a global scale. Customers increasingly expect the same services to be delivered to their TV set, their mobile phone, their games console and their pc. The access method and the device type are no longer relevant to them.
This document explores the business problems and issues that result from the convergence of all traditional telecommunications services onto an IP-based network. It also investigates possible customer requirements that must be met to meet these challenges. Finally it details the impacts upon and alterations to the traditional ICT value chain.