Technological convergence in standards for information and communication technologies

• We identify IPCs that have played a major role in technological convergence.
• The concepts of entropy and gravity, social network analysis, and association rule analysis are utilized.
• Our findings can contribute to R&D planning for essential patents.

In recent years, many technologies are converging with information and communication technology (ICT) while several of them are being standardized. In this study, we identify technological convergence in standards related to ICT. We apply the concepts of entropy and gravity, social network analysis, and association rule analysis to the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes of patents that have been declared as essential in the European Telecommunications Standards Institute. Results from our study show the technology fields that have played a major role in technological convergence in standards. In addition, other technology fields that are linked with these important technology fields are identified. During the period 2010–2014, services or facilities specially adapted for wireless communication networks had the highest entropy value and the highest binding force; and visible signaling systems were associated with several technology fields having a high potential to converge with other technology fields. Our findings can contribute to R&D planning for essential patents by suggesting potential technology fields that play a crucial role in technological convergence in related standards and other technological fields that are linked with these potential fields.