However, the NGN removes this restriction from you -- you have a choice. If you prefer to purchase voice services from another company…you have that option, too" ("What is the NGN?" NGN Service Provider, 2010). By allowing separation between services, consumers could gain more bargaining power within the new marketplace.
Superior use of existing services are also possible: "the user could, for example, use a mobile phone to talk on a phone, see a video feed on an LCD screen, collaborate on a document through a PC ('screen sharing' or 'application sharing'), and receive a file to a mobile handheld device, all within the context of a call to another person" ("NGN: Functional architecture," NGN Service Provider, 2010). This could improve business communication by enabling more effective use of videoconferencing without the use of cumbersome technology. Even residential consumers might find additional value in the use of more 'lifelike' use of mobile phones to interact in a multimedia, experiential fashion.
From the point-of-view of a provider, an NGN is of great interest because "the top 15% of today's residential subscribers in the U.S. are said to account for about 95% of carrier profits! Thus, many service providers are looking to Next Generation Network (NGN) services as a means to attract and/or retain the most lucrative customers" (Crimi 1). Providers are jockeying for position in the newly evolving marketplace, "striving to differentiate themselves within this expanding...
Providers are stressing the benefits of added services and even larger 'bundled' packages of offerings.
Marketing will undoubtedly have a great influence in how NGNs are accepted by consumers. Consumers must be savvy enough to know how to select the optimal packages for their needs. Additionally, providers will no doubt try to position themselves within the market and create bundles and long-term contracts to maximize their profits. Who will benefit most from NGNs remains to be seen, but the technology, viewed in the abstract, has much to give to consumers in terms of increased bargaining leverage for good prices and expanded services.
Works Cited
Cian. "Nervous of next generation networks?" Go Mo News. March 12, 2010.
http://www.gomonews.com/nervous-of-next-generation-networks-ericsson-and-tssg-team-up-for-irish-mobile-test-centre/
Crimi, JC. "Next generation networks." Telcordia Technologies / Next Generation Networks.
June 4, 2010.
http://www.mobilein.com/NGN_Svcs_WP.pdf
"NGN: Functional architecture." NGN Service Provider. June 4, 2010.
http://www.ngnsp.com/architecture/
"What is the NGN?" NGN Service Provider. June 4, 2010.
http://www.ngnsp.com/ngn.html
