[February 10, 2006]

BridgePort Networks launches IMS mobile-VoIP solution

(Total Telecom Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)U.S. mobile-VoIP convergence specialist BridgePort Networks announced late Thursday that it has successfully completed interoperability tests for its new IMS-based product to enable seamless voice calls between mobile and WiFi networks.

The solution, which conforms to IMS 3GPP technical requirements between mobile and WiFi networks, is now ready for market trials and can be commercially deployed this year.

The NomadicONE IMS Convergence Server (ICS) is a platform that can be used by operators to develop and deploy multimedia services for 2.5G and 3G mobile networks. They will be able to offer single phone number services that seamlessly hand over voice calls between circuit-switched mobile networks and VoIP over WiFi access networks. The IMS solution is based on the NomadicOne network convergence gateway that BridgePort launched in 2005.

Sanjay Jhawar, senior vice president for business development and marketing, told Total Telecom that the new IMS version will give greater flexibility to operators in the applications and the services they can offer.

"The IMS platform makes services more modular and flexible it makes applications easier to deploy," he said.

IMS is one of two routes for operators to achieve fixed-mobile convergence, the buzzword in telecoms at present. The other is unlicensed mobile access (UMA) technology.

"Fixed-mobile convergence is the key business case for IMS deployment," said Mike Mulica, president and CEO of BridgePort Networks in a statement.

"The revenue driven by these converged voice services will outweigh those of all other IMS applications," said Mulica.

Jhawar explained that the IMS platform "brings the whole broadband [network] further back into the core," adding: "There are more things you can do if the core connection is at the service level".

BridgePort is targeting mobile providers, fixed providers, cable providers and MVNOs with its new offering. The Chicago-based company has previously announced that Bell Canada and China Unicom are trialling its platform. Six deals - including a GSM operator have not yet been publicly announced.

"Operators are very excited about fixed-mobile convergence," said Jhawar.

"IMS imposes mechanisms and gives control to the operator," he added.

However, Jeremy Green, analyst at Ovum, told Total Telecom in November that operators are looking at more "operator-centric" solutions for WiFi/mobile convergence.

CEO Mulica said that the solution is supported by both handsets for both mass consumer and enterprise markets. Dual-mode mobile/WiFi handsets are compatible with the solution.

Bridgeport Networks is a member of the Mobileignite interoperability group.

3GSM World Congress takes place 13-16 February in Barcelona Spain.

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