Convergence of Internet and mobile communication systems is one of the basic requirements for implementing ubiquitous connectivity to IP services. Both these technologies have enjoyed tremendous growth over the past decade. Third generation mobile communications - UMTS in Europe and IMT2000 worldwide - are currently being introduced. The concept of person-to-person (mainly voice) communications, so successfully introduced by second generation systems like GSM and DCS1800, will be enhanced by the 3G systems to provide high speed access to IP services using packet mode data transmission. The "Beyond 3G" systems are attempting to implement the "everything/everybody always connected" paradigm for person-to-person, person-to-machine and machine-to-machine communication. Internetworking of wireless personal area networks, local area networks and wide area cellular networks, the design of enhanced IP protocol functions and cost-effective hardware for short range wireless communications, are some the major challenges to be met. Additionally the regulatory framework for flexible spectrum allocation needs to be established.

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