inCode says number of IMS projects at major operators has tripled in the past year
In the 12 months that it has been tracking worldwide adoption of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture, inCode – the global wireless business and technology consulting firm – says the number of publicly announced projects have more than tripled.
Today's version of the matrix lists 36 operator trials or deployments in addition to three non-commercial projects initiated by industry trade groups. Three operators – AT&T (including Cingular), BT and Sprint Nextel – have announced more than one deployment. A year ago, only 11 service providers had announced trials or commercial deployments.
"Wireless, wire line and broadband operators are ultimately headed toward IMS," said PK Prasanna, Head of IMS/Convergence at inCode. "The questions operators are asking are how will they get there and when will it happen."
At least seven operators have adopted Fixed-Mobile Convergence solutions that provide packaged voice services as a potential precursor to blended IMS services. FMC solutions come in several flavours from soft clients that reside on laptops to offerings that utilise true dual-mode handsets. This flexibility helps operators test and offer "pre-IMS" converged services without potentially costly alterations to existing network architecture and back-office systems.
"Several vendors are now offering products and platforms that provide operators with a more stepwise approach than a headlong leap into IMS," Prasanna continued. "This is a more cautious approach, since some IMS standards and customer preferences have not been completely firmed up."
IMS provides a common transport and control infrastructure for delivering voice, video and data within and across different wireless and wireline networks. Since it offers a unifying infrastructure, IMS is particularly appealing to consolidated carriers. The architecture enables the next generation of converged services.
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