IMS Interoperability, a Priority for 2007

While initially avoiding large-scale interoperability of IMS may seem a good Interoperability events, such as the IMS Forum’s (News - Alert) IMS Plugfest™, are a sure sign that the IP Multimedia Subsystem is entering its deployment phase. The so-called ‘pre-IMS’ implementations were usually based on a single large vendor and its constellation or ecosystem of suppliers and small
companies. The interoperability and
integration in this case was contained to the ecosystem.decision for service providers, in the mid and long term, this strategy promises to backfire. The main reason is the loss of a key advantage resulting from having a homogenous interworking architecture among many service providers.

History proves it.

While most of the world standardized on GSM, North America allowed service providers to mix and match various technologies in their cellular networks, which, as we all know, resulted in incompatible networks that didn’t allow free roaming. Customers paid more for less service, as roaming was limited to networks using the same standard. Eventually most major service providers in North America moved to GSM, a painful and costly transition. In the end, the consumer paid the bill for a decision to build non-interoperable networks.

Should we repeat the same errors for IMS? Or should we go for large-scale interoperability before major deployments take place?

IMS delivers three key advantages to service providers; to fully realize its potential, all three of the following fundamentals must be in place:

• Increased efficiency in operations resulting in OPEX (News - Alert) savings;

• Control of the quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE) inside the same network and across multiple service providers; and

• Open interfaces for Applications and Services servers delivering critical applications for revenue generation, and competitive parity.

While other non-IMS implementations are possible, no other technology frameworks can match all three advantages. For
instance, while there are several mechanisms with which to deliver QoS inside a single service provider network, these
mechanisms will not work across multiple networks built on different standards and specifications without significant additional operational and technological costs.

Today, we have two major providers for broadband over fixed line, and are entering the broadband-over-wireless phase
with the third generation GSM (3G),WiMAX and municipal and enterprise WiFi (News - Alert) networks. Consumers and enterprise users have many choices to connect to broadband services, and service providers can no longer afford to keep them inside of a single network.

Again, let’s remember what we learned from the cellular industry.

With its Plugfest series, the IMS Forum (www.IMSForum.org) is at the forefront of the IMS revolution to ensure that IMS applications and services deployed over wireline, cable and wireless networks can easily follow the subscriber across multiple network boundaries. The Forum successfully completed the first PlugFest in January 2007 at the UNH IMSF InterOperability Lab. This milestone event will be followed by a second IMS Forum Plugfest, planned for June 4 – 8, 2007 at the same lab. Plugfest II will focus on VoIP services over IMS, covering many aspects of the IP Centrex / IP PBX (News - Alert) and fixed-mobile converged calls, allowing customers to roam in and out between mobile and fixed networks.

The event is open to both IMS Forum member and non-member companies. For membership information, or to participate in IMS Forum working groups, Plugfest and membership info please visit www.IMSForum.org, or contact me directly at MKhalilian@IMSForum.org.

Michael Khalilian is the President and Chairman of the IMS Forum and CTO, Pervasip Corp.