It knows where you are every second of the day, what services you need and how you want to access them. The "intuitive" network is an all-aware servant, every wish its command, made possible by emerging IMS technologies that promise to bring unprecedented levels of personalization, security and mobility to communications.

Resources View a PDF version of this article (PDF, 231 KB) IMS Solution IMS Customer Value IMS End-User Video Podcast: Bringing IMS Services From Concept To Delivery Verizon Tests Nortel IMS Solution

As traditionally separate voice and data networks around the world converge into single IP-powered infrastructures, IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) is being heralded as the essential unifier for true converged, seamless services across all wireless, wireline and cable networks.

With IMS, service providers can quickly fine tune their networks to meet demand for new revenue generating services while catering to the individual needs of each subscriber. IMS also dramatically reduces costs by allowing service providers to launch new services in minutes rather than months, allowing network re-engineering savings to be passed on to subscribers through highly-competitive fees.

"Converged communications is at a major evolutionary turning point and IMS is about networks that really get it," says Alan Stoddard, general manager, Carrier Multimedia Networks, Nortel. "IMS transforms current 'intelligent networks' into 'intuitive networks' that are application, device and user aware.

"These intuitive network capabilities have the potential to create an explosion of new personal, mobile and secure multimedia services that empower users with real-time control over all aspects of their communications. The network becomes their servant rather than the dictator over how, when and where communications takes place. You can combine your services in a wide variety of new ways like carrying on a conversation with your opponent as you play an interactive game together. Boundaries disappear among voice, video and data services. With IMS they perform as one."

Both business and consumers today have ever increasing expectations for faster, more seamless communications, Stoddard says. "Users are now perpetually multitasking, always on the move and media-hungry. These new and different applications require more sophisticated networks that transform complex interoperability into a simple to use, transparent experience for end users."

The key advantage of converged IP networks over older switched networks is the possibility of achieving complete interoperability which is essential to providing seamless anywhere, anytime, any device communications. Traditionally, services have resided on switches with subscribers often requiring multiple accounts for different types of services that aren't interoperable across wireless, wireline or cable networks.

Using IMS, all service providers will have the same IP platform, operating to the same open standards and session initiation protocol (SIP) that free applications from current network restrictions to seamless access. IMS intuition imbedded into each network determines where each subscriber is located and what network is most efficient to reach them and on which device.

"The foundation for the coming evolution to IMS is already being put in place with new SIP-based services that are stacked together to perform as one," says Stoddard. "For example with SIP, a videoconference allows everyone in the session to watch streaming video while having voice conversations and pushing web pages or large documents to each other for discussion.

"SIP is the glue holding voice, video and multimedia services together for coherent and seamless transmission. The intuitive capabilities of IMS then determine the user's access location and which network and device is most appropriate for receiving SIP services."

Nortel is a recognized industry leader in SIP applications for network solutions with deployments in more than 40 service provider networks around the world across all market segments - wireless, wireline and cable.

In developing its IMS solution, Nortel is drawing from a unique depth of technical expertise in delivering next-generation IP technologies for both service providers and enterprises that span access and core networks, providing a broad understanding of networks vital to IMS deployments.

Nortel's products are at the heart of every one of the top 25 service provider networks globally and it was the first supplier to deliver wireless networks operating across all air interfaces - GSM, GPRS, CDMA, EV-DO, UMTS and WLAN - and packet core technologies.

Nortel's IMS solution utilizes a new Call Session Controller and Home Subscriber Server (HSS) while leveraging the installed softswitch base for gateway control and voice applications. This gives service providers and operators a secure migration path to a cost-effective, all-IP network to develop, integrate and roll out new personalized services.

"Nortel has always focused on protecting customers' investment, and our path to IMS is no different. We know precisely what this emerging market needs" says Stoddard. "Our IMS solution leverages more than five years of internal R&D investment in SIP, and the significant experience we have gained through deploying our SIP-based Multimedia Communications Server (MCS) 5200 in more than 40 service provider networks. We have designed our VoIP systems to easily transition to IMS, and all of our call servers provide IP Multimedia and SIP Call Session Control."

Nortel is currently in IMS trials with leading telecom operators in each of the key telecom sectors. Verizon is demonstrating Nortel's IMS multi-vendor interoperability and full support for voice services over fiber at its lab in Waltham, Mass.

In February 2006, Nortel opened one of the industry's first IMS (PDF, 112 KB) enablement and innovation center with IBM to focus on maximizing IMS market opportunities for service providers. Based in IBM's Telecommunications Solution Lab in Montpellier, France, the center is designed as a "living lab" for service providers where new services can be developed and tested while solving integration and interoperability challenges to help speed time to market.

The centre complements Nortel's collaboration with more than 100 developers, partners and applications providers through its seven Open SIP Interoperability labs, six IMS Live Experience Centers in North America, Europe and Asia as well as two Joint Customer Innovation Centers.

"Nortel has been involved in the development of all the major IP technologies leading to IMS since 1976 when we introduced the world's first packet data switch to the X.25 standard which is still in use today," says Stoddard. "We know IP packet networks inside out and that breadth of experience gained over the past 30 years is invaluable to ensuring we smooth out the complexities of IMS into a simple and profitable experience for service providers."