IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)

The ubiquitous use of the Internet Protocol suite (IP) for voice, data, media and entertainment purposes is driving the convergence of industries, services, networks and business models.

Networks convergence is the route through which operators facilitate better access to end-use services and applications. IP provide a common foundation offering end-users seamless access to any service and time, anywhere and with any device.

IMS is an overlay service provisioning platform through which telecommunications operators can utilise internet technologies to their greatest advantage.

This technology offers the prospect of new value chains and business models for operators on the one side, and the increase of the end user experience through converged and blended services on the other.

This technology offers the prospect of new value chains and business models for operators on the one side, and the increase of the end user experience through converged and blended services on the other.

IMS is more than just a protocol. It is an architecture for the convergence of data, speech, fixed and mobile networks and is based on a wide range of protocols.

In IMS, services are not limited to audio, but also include presence, group management, push to talk over cellular, messaging, conference and IMS multimedia telephony. This proves that convergence of services and network is not a myth but a real value add for the users.

At the moment we are experiencing the fast convergence of networks, services and devices. Applications are no longer isolated entities exchanging information only with the user interface. The next generation of more exciting applications are P2P entities which facilitate sharing and a social experience. The concept of being connected is being redefined. The ability to establish a peer to peer connection between the new Internet Protocol (IP) enabled devices is key ingredient.

True integration of voice and data services increases productivity and overall effectiveness , while the development of innovative applications integration voice, data and multimedia will create demands for new services such as presence, multimedia chat, push to talk and conferencing. This skill to combine mobility and the IP network will be crucial to service success in the future.