The convergence of the telecommunications, media and information technology industries has generated massive change in the creative industries field. This innovation is defined by Barr (2000: 30) as the process whereby communications technologies blend together to facilitate wider, more integrated methods for the distribution of information.
Convergence has revolutionised and created many new technologies, but none are more apparent than the mobile phone. Each new model released onto the market promises more features, more technology and more possibilities than its predecessor. This capability of convergence has enabled the mobile phone to transcend from a traditional voice communication piece to an instrument facilitating an interaction of the three major sectors of telecommunications, media and information technology. This convergence is embodied in 3 Hutchinson Australia as their new mobile phone technology enables the user to make video conference calls, check the world events in Hong Kong and surf the internet all at the same time.
Central issues associated with this new technology are the rise and impact on the creative industries, opportunities and threats and the social impact of mobile phone convergence. Furthering this, 3 Hutchinson Australia is of importance as it is at the forefront of convergent mobile phone technologies.
Currently, this form of convergence is at the height of its technology and is strengthening with further developments and innovations. Unlike traditional formats of technology, convergence has generated rapid growth, as it is an improvement on an existing technology of the common mobile phone communications device. Presently, the convergence of mobile phone technology is its third generation (3G) encompassing the telecommunications, media and information technology industries. It has progressed in its design and value from an initial talking device to an instrument whereby its applications fulfill industry, cultural, emotional and informative objectives. The future will see the device performing more operations and comprising more technologies and information so as to intensify its intrinsic link to how people function in their daily lives and business.
This form of convergence is relevant as it is a new media technology marking the transition towards an informational mode of development and the rise of the network society. As such, like many other new media technologies cited in the New Media Wikipedia, mobile phone convergence has changed the way in which we live and operate.
The steadfast rise of convergence has revolutionised the creative industry and has posed many significant issues, trends and developments directly affecting the sector. It has shaped the way the industries operate; allowing them a more concentrated access point to the consumer, and with this intimate contact, convergence has posed many ethical and moral issues. Rifkin (2000:172) coincides with this view when he says, “the users culture and society is being pre-packaged into splintered commercial experiences�.
Furthering this, the blending of technologies, although permitting the user the opportunity to access plentiful amounts of information, has also posed various threats. Dryer identifies this threat as the manipulation of human behaviour, social provenance and communication outcomes brought about by a pervasive system of technology.
Convergence has enabled a basic device like a mobile phone, the capacity to become an all-in-one telecommunications, media and computer handheld machine. This new media technology has generated massive social change in the behaviours and lifestyle patterns of the consumer. Beatty concurs with this when he says that the transforming mobile technology is affecting people far more rapidly than what they realise.
The chosen case study of 3 Hutchinson Australia mobile phones is highly appropriate in proving the impact that convergent technology has had on society. The newest example of convergent technology, the 3 mobile phone, operating on the 3G network, utilises the three industries, revolutionizing the handset as a multi-function portable office. This convergence allows the operator to download the latest financial review (media), send and receive emails (information technology) and make a standard or video conference call (telecommunications) without the hindrance of being chained to a computer or a desk.
This information revolution, driven by major technological changes in communications, enables the handset to blur the boundaries between what was once just a telecommunications device to what it is now- a catalyst comprising all three sectors of the communications industry.
The 3 mobile phone is a first-rate example of proving the impact that convergence has had on society. This is because it can change the users behaviour and lifestyle pattern. This case study correlates with Geser who believes that the new mobile phone empowers people to engage in various communications and activities, while at the same time being free from the constraints of physical proximity and spatial immobility.
Although a relatively new technology and issue to emerge from the creative industries, convergence has swiftly impacted the industry and society. This is for the reason that in its short time, it has managed to generate mass change to the three major industries of telecommunications, media and information technology. This change, impelled by consumer demand, has prompted the three industries to band together to prevail.
Mobile phone convergence is an imperative facet of convergence, as it is rooted in the lives of people who find their sense of self and the social and cultural context in which they live embedded in their access to and use of various media technologies. It is a relatively new technology and in a short amount of time, mobile phone convergence has managed to impact the creative industries, and create many opportunities and threats as well as considerably effect society. Furthering this, 3 Hutchinson Australia is of importance as it is at the forefront of convergent mobile phone technologies and their technology has caused an upheaval in the way the industry and society operate.
Donna Locke 23:29, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)
