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Businesses today are more mobile than ever, thanks in large part to the proliferation of smartphones and other mobile devices. And when smartphones meet UCaaS, the possibilities are endless. Mobile UCaaS can turn anyone’s cell phone into a business phone, without compromising your personal phone number. 

That’s the beauty of fixed mobile convergence. Let’s learn more about it. 

Today, we’ll cover: 

What is fixed mobile convergence (FMC)? 

Fixed mobile convergence (or FMC) is a communications solution that allows people to use a single phone when moving between home and office—and any other location!—without interrupting the ongoing call. 

FMC also means anyone can take and make business calls from anywhere without the need for a separate business phone… and without giving out your personal mobile number. 

How does fixed mobile convergence work? 

The mobile phone number and corresponding mobile device are used as the primary business interface solutions. The mobile SIM card becomes the fixed line extension, and the smartphone acts as the native endpoint to the extension. Any call placed from or to the native dialer will be routed via the third-party FMC integration, like RingCentral, for call control. 

When a business call comes through on your mobile device, it’s routed via the FMC integration but displays as a normal call. That way, your experience is seamless and easy without compromising your privacy. 

Benefits of fixed mobile convergence 

The benefits of fixed mobile convergence go well beyond simply using your cell phone as your business phone. Let’s take a closer look. 

Benefits of FMC for business owners 

Here are just some of the benefits when setting up fixed mobile convergence for your business: 

• A single bill for all of your business communications: fixed, mobile, and UCaaS
• Unified voicemail and directory services for fixed and mobile users
• Minimize IT headaches by reducing the number of communication management systems
• Presence integration
• Single portal for administration 

Benefits of FMC for employees/team members 

A tech upgrade is only helpful if team members feel confident using it. FMC has plenty of perks for any end user:

• Work from anywhere when your cell phone is your business phone 
• Protect your private information with a single business identity: No more giving out your personal cell phone number when away from the office! 
• Ensure no call goes unanswered with cloud-based communication
• Save time and energy with advanced call routing, custom announcements, and so much more
• Add conferencing and collaboration features as needed

In addition to the general benefits of any FMC provider, RingCentral offers tons of team collaboration and communication tools beyond making and taking calls. These features come standard with any RingCentral plan: 

Examples of fixed mobile convergence in different industries 

You can probably already see just how useful FMC might be in your day-to-day business operations. Here are some examples of fixed mobile convergence across various industries an the FMC tools they find valuable: 

• Finance: Compliance recording in accordance with industry regulation for banks, mortgage brokers, and insurance
• Service & construction: Single-number reach for confidentiality, call queues, skill-based routing for different specialties 
• Healthcare: Secure calls for client confidentiality (both internal and external), skill-based routing for more efficient care 
• Manufacturing & transportation: Take calls on the road, from the conveyor belt, or from anywhere, call queue routing 
• Retail: Call queues, auto receptionist

RingCentral fixed mobile convergence: How AT&T and Vodafone use FMC from RingCentral 

Together with our service providers, RingCentral leverages the power of wireless 5G and fixed connections to enable advanced business communications. Here’s how we work with AT&T and Vodafone: 

AT&T: Office@Hand Wireless 

AT&T Office@Hand Wireless offers a cloud-based business communication system for mobile devices that provides smartphones with the functionality of a traditional phone system. With advanced features like auto receptionist, hunt groups, extension dialing, and native business voicemail, AT&T Office@Hand Wireless can improve mobile communications with customers and collaborators.

The AT&T Office@Hand Wireless solution with RingCentral technology delivers a secure, UCaaS solution and collaboration experience to customers to enable their employees to work productively from anywhere on any device. 

Vodafone UK: Helping businesses prepare for ISDN & PTSN network shutdowns in 2025

With access to RingCentral’s leading mobile applications, powered by Vodafone’s award-winning mobile network, the VBUC platform now provides an intuitive, unified experience that lets users make calls, send messages, and launch HD quality video meetings. All these benefits are seamless and effectively turn your iOS or Android mobile device into a full extension of your office – whether working remotely or on the go. 

Plus, following the application of a Unified Directory system, it is now easier to connect and collaborate with colleagues across your organization – including those who do not have a VBUC license.

Fixed mobile convergence: Choose the right provider  

With a workforce that is more mobile than ever, it’s easy to see just how beneficial FMC is to businesses today. Choosing a fixed mobile convergence provider like RingCentral means you’ll also get expertise in telecommunications, an easy-to-use interface, and a variety of tools and integrations to help your business thrive. 

Want to learn more about becoming a partner? Check out our Global Service Providers program, RingCentral RISE.

Originally published Jun 28, 2023