IMS to take maximum advantage of UMTS/HSPA

July 25, 2006

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) architecture is able to take maximum advantage of UMTS/HSPA network technology and drive mobile data growth and user adoption. 3G Americas, a wireless industry association, published a white paper that focuses specifically on IMS architecture, as defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), as the new application enabler for IP-based multimedia services.

The paper, entitled IMS: Application Enabler and UMTS/HSPA Growth Catalyst, addresses the ways in which 3GPP IMS architecture is best suited for the blending of real-time and non real-time multimedia services, and how it optimizes the application life-cycle through rapid and efficient service creation and deployment. Further, the paper illustrates how basic IMS services such as Presence, Messaging, and others, can become enablers of larger, personalized, interactive and collaborative multimedia services. The paper describes how IMS will play a key role in the introduction of these new revenue-generating services, and how the deployment of the GSM evolution through UMTS/HSPA will improve the user experience and generate demand for additional services.

"IMS provides an architecture that facilitates the creation and deployment of complex multimedia applications, and provides service transparency and integration between networks," stated Chris Pearson, President of 3G Americas. "UMTS/HSPA combined with IMS together provide significant value added benefits from innovative services that will elevate customer satisfaction, leading to lower churn and increased subscription levels for new applications."

With IMS in place, it will be possible to deliver services over high-speed mobile networks and fixed broadband IP networks concurrently. What this means for users is a newfound ability to access multiple services in the course of the same call or session with multimedia applications such as Push-to-Talk over Cellular, Video Share and others. The reduction of lead time for new services and the ability to personalize these services, as well as other benefits such as an 'always on' connection, high quality of service, security and regulatory support, will all work to ensure a positive user experience.

The IMS: Application Enabler and UMTS/HSPA Growth Catalyst white paper was collaboratively developed by 3G Americas' board member companies and is available for free download at the 3G Americas' website.