Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) has been a conference fixture in various forms for many years, but for a long time little materialised. This is now changing. Today, mobile operators face a real and major threat to their revenue streams. At the same time, however, they are perfectly positioned to both preserve and grow their portion of the total telecoms spend.

Recent changes to Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) service has seen coverage offered by the satellite network increase by about a third from 99 to 150 countries. Best known until now in the Middle East and Africa, the newly enhanced service now extends to include most of Europe, Asia and Western Australia. The new service, now designated R-BGAN, includes a number of upgrades. Developing Telecoms takes a look at what's new.