Editor's Corner

Network convergence inches closer to reality

For years the talk within the wireless and mobility sector has been focused on convergence: providing users the ability to move from traditional PBX networks to cellular service to--one day--emerging WiFi and Voice over Internet Protocol systems. It seemed like an extremely daunting evolution given the hurdles facing just WiFi and VoIP. Those hurdles run the gamut from integration headaches to security concerns. But if recent announcements from network service providers are to be believed, most, though not all, of those hurdles have been cleared. Take the news that Aruba Networks is aiming to unify WiFi and cellular over VoIP networks. While it's not going to happen overnight--the vendor expects it will take at about a year and a half to plug interoperability aspects into each aspect of the converged service--it is a promising venture and worthy of keeping an eye on. -Judy