Convergence is part of the global information society scenario that has shaped and been shaped by changes in policy and regulation in the telecommunications  sector – privatisation, creation of independent  regulators, introduction of competition. Competition in an environment marked by convergence is assumed to lead to faster-paced innovation and improved products and services for consumers, at lower costs,just as we are currently witnessing in Nigeria .

Addressing convergence through appropriate ICT  policy and regulatory mechanisms is therefore important  as part of a broader strategy to promote growth and position Nigeria within regional and global information environments.

Nigeria’s regulatory space is set for a change with the launch of mobile Tv by DSTV and MTN Communications Nigeria, last week. This launching will be the harbinger of many other convergence services to come.

The process of convergence starts when previously separate technologies coming closer together as a direct consequence of the advances made in ICT. Convergence has been  made possible by digitalization which allows different types of content (audio, video, text) to be stored in same format and delivered through a wide variety of technologies (computers, mobile phones, television, etc)

Convergence can be viewed from many  points. First, is the technological convergence. This refers to the trend for some set of technologies initially having distinct functionalities to evolve to having those that overlap. Like mobile phones making voice calls, sms, internet and Television.

While media convergence means removal of entry barriers across IT ,Telecommunications, media and consumer electronics ,creating one and single, converged industry.  Technical convergence is the merging of the delivery technologies through which content reaches the consumer: radio, conventional broadcasting, satellite, cable, fibre  optics, wireless, internet.

Content convergence from a broadcasting perspective as the formatting and use of content, aided by the flexibility afforded by digitalisation, to present the same information,  on different platforms and in different ways.The same information can be used for different purposes – audiences can use the platform most relevant to them

Convergence therefore can be defined from a  number of perspectives: technological, content, economic,  regulatory and institutional.     Convergence is important because of the role it can  play in national economic and social development  and growth. It has the potential to impact on all  segments of society – it can shape the delivery of  government services (education and health included),  redefine the way businesses operate and  provide individuals with as yet unimagined information  and communication services.

There are many hurdles to cross before we can achieve true convergence in Nigeria . The following are some of the hurdles:

Human and institutional capacity  

It is just about eight years that Nigeria   began the reform of the telecommunications sectors leading to the establishment  of  the independent regulator, The National communications commission. The opening up of markets and the need to provide universal service required new sets of regulatory skills which are often still in scarce supply. Addressing the needs of convergence will stretch scarce human resources  and institutional capacities even further.

The merging of delivery platforms and content creates  new opportunities for the development and  delivery of services and products that can expand  access to communications services in all parts of the  Nigeria  and better meet the needs of users.   

Emmanuel  Okoegwale  emmanuel@mobilemarketingafrica.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 Convergence is part of the global information society scenario that has shaped and been shaped by...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 09.05.2008 22:49