IMS

IMS defines a complete architecture and framework that enables the convergence of voice, video, data and mobile network technology over an IP-based infrastructure. It is a set of specifications that describes the Next Generation Networking (NGN) architecture for implementing IP based telephony and multimedia services (using SIP)

It fills the gap between the two most successful communication paradigms, cellular and Internet technology.

The benefit of IMS is that it provides and architecture that is access independent i.e. it provides Convergence. Now each access type is enabled to work with an IMS core be it WLAN,GPRS, DSL, or any emerging technology like WiMax. Users can have uniform access to services regardless of type of access network used.

Although IMS was initially intended to enable third-generation packet-switched mobile networks to access IP-based applications and services through Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), marketing hype has driven IMS to an overarching umbrella architecture for offering IP-based services regardless of the user's access technology.

Regardless of the hype, IMS represents one of the most important telecom technology developments of this decade, enabling the transmission of any type of media (i.e., voice, video or data) using any type of access method. In this telebriefing Yankee Group will discuss the IMS reference architecture and it's importance to the future development of WiMAX n other 4G technologies.

Listen to a Telebriefing: http://www.trendsme dia1.com/ telebriefings/ audio/telebriefi ng_07_24_ 08.mp3