LONDON -- The Fixed-Mobile Convergence Alliance (FCMA) was inaugurated today with six of the world’s leading telecommunications operators as founder members.The Alliance was formed to accelerate the development of Fixed-Mobile Convergence products and services to the 122 million fixed network and 23 million mobile customers served by its founding members. It is anticipated that the Alliance will encourage other major telecommunications operators around the world to drive the development of convergence services.

Fixed-Mobile Convergence is a transition point in the telecommunications industry that will finally remove the distinctions between fixed and mobile networks, providing a superior experience to customers by creating seamless services using a combination of fixed broadband and local access wireless technologies to meet their needs in homes, offices, other buildings and on the go.

The founder members of the FMCA include:

Brasil Telecom; BT; Korea Telecom; NTT Com; Rogers Wireless Inc.; Swisscom.

BT is the first Chair of the Alliance, which will rotate every 12 months. Rogers Wireless Inc. will take the role of Vice-Chair during this period.

Brasil Telecom SA

BT Group plc

Korea Telecom

NTT Communications Corp.

Rogers Wireless Communications Inc.

Swisscom AG