Unified Communications (News - Alert) “UC” in India has not had an easy road as of late. In a recent Voice and Data report, the head of Amdocs (News - Alert) India takes a look at the current environment there and how WiMAX might provide the solution.

As UC systems continue to evolve, they are bringing more and more tools to one platform. A number of features are already in place in UC, including e-mail, IM, mobile communications, VoIP, business intelligence, ERP and other collaborative tools.

The challenge in India, as well as other locations, has been a lack of high speed connectivity to ensure UC solutions perform as expected. With the introduction of WiMAX (News - Alert), constraints of location and time can be overcome with access anywhere and anytime. Such access to UC can help to promote UC adoption.

Collaboration among network providers in various sectors of the industry is helping to ensure goods and services are reaching a larger consumer base. UC can also be extended to the end consumer base through the use of networks and therefore, collaboration for the provision of UC within a WiMAX environment is essential.

WiMAX, as a next-generation network technology, helps to drive the transformation to an all-IP network as it requires access to high speed Internet. WiMAX offers high speed wireless Internet access that will remove the constraints of time and location.

Even with the prevalence of rock bottom service rates with other options, IP-based communications present more economical options. This type of network provides a better scope for exchange of information as it relates to business functions offered in business intelligence offerings, ERP and more. WiMAX can help to provide IP networks the speed and connectivity needed to drive a more efficient network.

WiMAX is expensive to implement, but should not necessarily be considered an obstacle to deployment. The benefits WiMAX can deliver far offset the initial cost investment as it provides connectivity for miles and ensures connectivity for remote locations.

The biggest challenges for the implementation of UC solutions in India today are the penetration of UC equipment and the availability of high-speed Internet connectivity. The unorganized sector of India tends to not use the rudimentary IT tools due to the procurement process for basic devices. Once basic IT technology has been deployed, UC adoption is sure to accelerate.

The government in India could promote access to UC to help promote adoption. While the availability of UC and economical equipment is paramount to widespread adoption, success in this area is contingent upon how well the industry can provide UC gear that is acceptable to the end consumer. The government could provide incentives to those networks and UC solutions providers who extend facilities to untapped markets in the country.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Stefanie Mosca