What originally started as a framework for just wireless networking has rapidly expanded to the wireline world to represent the future for service providers and the rest of the telecommunications ecosystem, as illustrated by the buzz coming from the Supercomm show in Chicago.
But while service providers race to accelerate the deployment of IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS) solutions in turn to offer not just VoIP but more importantly video services (IPTV), incumbent operators (which have led the so-called “Triple Play” charge) have stepped up the pressure to remove regulatory hurdles – a point that didn’t escape Verizon’s Ivan Seidenberg who used his opening keynote as an opportunity to advance the cause.
“We need to update the telecom laws for the 21st century, particularly those related to broadband services. And we need to simplify and reform the franchising process that is acting as a barrier to video competition,” Seidenberg said.
IMS, which was originally defined by the 3 rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) governing body for the cellular market around the world, is a modular standards-based platform that uses Internet protocol and Session initiation protocol (SIP) to enhance service offerings. And with vendors the size of IBM backing the technology, it certainly has proven its relevance to the telecom world.
“Every Tier 1 service provider in fixed and wireless networks will announce SIP-based services running over IMS in the next six to twelve months. Any who don't will be like airlines that missed out on the jet engine,” Ian Cox, analyst at ABI Research, recently wrote in a research report.
At the kickoff of Supercomm on Tuesday, vendors like IBM, which is exhibiting with as many as eight partners like NexTone, AudioCodes, Brooktrout and Ubiquity on the show floor, and Sonus Networks have announced IMS solutions – each on their own respective architecture.
Sonus IMS solution is centered around its Sonus IMX Application Platform, a web-based multimedia environment that enables wireline and wireless service providers to rapidly develop, integrate, launch, and manage enhanced telecommunication applications and services. It also includes its existing products: the GSX family, PSX, SGX, ASX and Insight system.
Meanwhile, IBM’s IMS solution is centered around SuSE’s carrier-grade Linux and enhancements to the IBM blade family of servers that were unveiled Tuesday. Using middleware like Motorola’s NetPlane Core Services software or embedded solutions like SBS Technologies for applications development, service providers are looking for new business by tapping into revenue sources that were traditionally reserved for cable operators.
“We’re seeing in the marketplace a lot of activity driven by the need for new services for revenue. IPTV is a great example of that,” Jim Pertzborn, vice president in the telecommunications group of IBM’s Systems division.
But for service providers to take advantage of all of the scalable, end-to-end solution on display at Supercomm to manage and deliver IPTV services, public policy-makers must take a more hands-off, “light touch” approach, according to executives at SBC and Verizon.
"There remains a real disconnect between the broadband market and broadband policy," said Verizon Executive Vice President Thomas J. Tauke. "The broadband market is global, while broadband policy is still local. The broadband market is converging, while broadband policy is still in silos. And the broadband market is competitive, while broadband policy is still stagnant."
At issue are the local franchise agreements that operators (like cable) are required to obtain from individual municipalities around the nation to offer video services to their constituents. And while the Texas state legislature recently abandoned an effort to deregulate, there are signs that the persistent lobbying by telcos is making some headway.
According to published reports, U.S. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens believes telephone companies like SBC deserve relief the franchising rules.
Robert Liu is executive editor at TMCnet. Previously, he was executive editor at Jupitermedia and has also written for CNN, A&E, Dow Jones and Bloomberg. He can be reached at rliu@tmcnet.com.
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