The 3G IMS: Merging the Internet and the cellular worlds

January 19, 2006

Research and Markets has announced the addition of The 3G IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): Merging the Internet and the Cellular Worlds, 2nd Edition to their offering.

The authors adopts a logical approach, first presenting the overview and background knowledge on error-control coding, considering this under the umbrella of the entire data network framework rather than dealing with individual data network sub-blocks. New material includes two additional chapters describing the Conference Service (covering architecture, the binary flow control protocol BFCP- conference migration and dial-out conferences) on the Internet and one new chapter on Next Generation Networks (including an overview on standardization, security and supplementary services). New additions also include forking, the expansion of the definition of public service entities, the new data charging specs 32.296-299 and explanations on determining whether online or offline charging will be applied for a particular user. Updated material also includes a comprehensive picture of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), the format of Call Data Records (CDRs) and detailed advice on General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) charging.

"The 3G IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): Merging the Internet and the Cellular Worlds, Second Edition" is an updated version of the best-selling guide to this exciting technology that will merge the Internet with the cellular world, ensuring the availability of Internet technologies such as the web, email, instant messaging, presence and videoconferencing nearly everywhere. In this thoroughly revised overview of the IMS and its technologies, goals, history, vision, the organizations involved in its standardization and architecture, the authors first describe how each technology works on the Internet and then explain how the same technology is adapted to work in the IMS, enabling readers to take advantage of any current and future Internet service.

Key features of the Second Edition include:

-- New chapter on Next Generation Networks, including an overview on standardization, the architecture, and PSTN/ISDN simulation services

-- Fully updated chapter on the Push-to-talk over Cellular (PoC) service, covering the standardization in the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), architecture, PoC session types, user plane, and the Talk Burst Control Protocol

-- Several expanded sections, including discussion of the role of the Open Mobile Alliance in the standardization process, IPv4 support in IMS, a description of the IMS Application Layer Gateway and the Transition Gateway, and a description of the presence data model

-- Updated material on the presence service, session-based instant messages with the Message Session Relay Protocol (MSRP), and the XML Configuration Access Protocol (XCAP)

-- Supported by a companion website on which instructors and lecturers can find electronic versions of the figures.

Engineers, programmers, business managers, marketing representatives, and technically aware users will all find this to be an indispensable guide to IMS and the business model behind it.