When defining Mobile Unified Communications (Mobile UC), it’s the sum of the parts that makes the whole ecosystem. This enterprise-class application is comprised of several components, many of which are offered as individual products by individual vendors.

“Fixed Mobile Convergence” (FMC), for example, is typically offered as a product by vendors who focus on seamless roaming between WiFi and cellular. Similarly, “Unified Communications” is offered by vendors that develop Presence, Instant Messaging, Visual Voicemail and Unified Messaging.

It is only when FMC, UC and the deskphone number + features are combined, and accessible by a single GUI on a smartphone, that a Mobile UC solution results. Mobile Unified Communications is therefore an umbrella term for an enterprise-class application, which is comprised of several individual technologies: Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC), Unified Communications (UC), smartphones, PBXs, WLANs and the carrier’s cellular network.
  • FMC unifies fixed-line and wireless (WiFi and cellular) voice on a smartphone, which enables seamless, uninterrupted roaming between WiFi and cellular networks. FMC is only a single component of the Mobile UC umbrella set of technologies – as a standalone technology, it is not considered to be the equivalent of Mobile UC.
     
  • UC is a set of integrated applications intended to unify, and therefore simplify, communication thereby increasing productivity in the workplace. Voice, Presence, Instant Messaging, email and voicemail are accessed by a single interface, on a device most convenient to the end user (desktop, deskphone, laptop, smartphone, etc.). As an application set existing without a mobile (FMC) component, it is not considered to be the equivalent of Mobile UC.
     
  • Deskphone number and features (extension dialing, call forward, hold, etc.) are features that make a smartphone behave like a deskphone. Extending the deskphone untethers office workers from their desks by offering single-number reach (the phone carries the same number as deskphone), and the availability of deskphone functions means individuals have in-office-like capabilities necessary for efficient business communication, regardless of their location. This capability is required for an existing solution to be considered as part of the Mobile UC category.

The remaining components in the Mobile UC ecosystem – smartphones, WLANs, PBXs and cellular network – comprise the infrastructure over which communication takes place.

While individual Mobile UC components can be developed and marketed in their individual space (i.e. FMC, UC, smartphone, WLAN, PBX, carrier plan), it is only when they are working together in a common ecosystem that they comprise a Mobile Unified Communications solution.