Fixed Mobile Substitution
Encyclopedia
Fixed Mobile Substitution, usually abbreviated to FMS, is the use of a mobile phone
(cellular phone) instead of a fixed, wired, POTS
telephone.
Although strictly, this could simply be as the result of a subscriber making an indidividual choice (for example, "25% of the population of Finland
do not have a fixed phone, but use mobiles all the time, even at home") the term is usually used to describe a deliberate tactic of a carrier to promote such a behavior.
One such technique is the use of "Homezones" (where calls on a designated cell, covering the subscriber's home, are at a preferential tariff, or even free. Although very popular with subscribers, and delivering good uptake, these are expensive for carriers, and outside of a few specific countries (e.g. Germany
with Genion & Zu Hause services) these are not common.
The use of femtocell
s promises to be a more attactive (and potentially more profitable) approach.
The term FMS is in contrast to Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) which is usually used to describe the use of two different technologies (hence "convergence") to deliver a similar user experience. Examples include the use of dual-mode handsets with both cellular and WiFi
technologies and handoff between the two.
Mobile phone
A mobile phone is a device which can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link whilst moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile network operator...
(cellular phone) instead of a fixed, wired, POTS
Plain old telephone service
Plain old telephone service is the voice-grade telephone service that remains the basic form of residential and small business service connection to the telephone network in many parts of the world....
telephone.
Although strictly, this could simply be as the result of a subscriber making an indidividual choice (for example, "25% of the population of Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
do not have a fixed phone, but use mobiles all the time, even at home") the term is usually used to describe a deliberate tactic of a carrier to promote such a behavior.
One such technique is the use of "Homezones" (where calls on a designated cell, covering the subscriber's home, are at a preferential tariff, or even free. Although very popular with subscribers, and delivering good uptake, these are expensive for carriers, and outside of a few specific countries (e.g. Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
with Genion & Zu Hause services) these are not common.
The use of femtocell
Femtocell
In telecommunications, a femtocell is a small cellular base station, typically designed for use in a home or small business. It connects to the service provider’s network via broadband ; current designs typically support 2 to 4 active mobile phones in a residential setting, and 8 to 16 active...
s promises to be a more attactive (and potentially more profitable) approach.
The term FMS is in contrast to Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) which is usually used to describe the use of two different technologies (hence "convergence") to deliver a similar user experience. Examples include the use of dual-mode handsets with both cellular and WiFi
WIFI
WIFI is a radio station broadcasting a brokered format. Licensed to Florence, New Jersey, USA, the station is currently operated by Florence Broadcasting Partners, LLC.This station was previously owned by Real Life Broadcasting...
technologies and handoff between the two.