Fixed mobile convergence (FMC) will finally take off in 2008 as femtocell technology begins to become available, experts predicted today.

ABI Research said that the move to FMC infrastructure is a "natural evolution" for the mobile network as broadband services, including VoIP and other SIP services, begin to be deployed.

Both Unlicensed Mobile Access and SIP infrastructures are being rolled out, and dual-use Wi-Fi and mobile phone devices will be joined by femtocells in 2008.

ABI Research said that operators are fully aware of the increasing threat from mobile VoIP services, and that FMC will allow them to offer similar services and tariff packages.

The study expects that 250 million users of FMC services will sign up by 2012.

"As we move to the end of the decade, mobile networks will emerge with a flat all-IP architecture using 3GPP standards to deliver multimedia services and VoIP," said ABI principal analyst Ian Cox.

He added that, in the meantime, operators should offer attractive calling plans to consumer and enterprise users.

This will enable a single device to use mobile and fixed broadband networks, improving business efficiency and enabling users to access directory information easily from their favourite devices.

FMC provides operators with data offload onto the broadband fixed network and improved indoor coverage from the mobile network.

For users, a wider choice of mobile devices is coming along that will remove a barrier to service adoption. This will speed up the development of content and services to the advantage of the whole industry.