IMS: Driving New Business Models and Opportunities
This publication will evaluate the impact of IMS on service creation and delivery with an emphasis on the evolving needs of users and the resulting impact to wireless platforms and fixed networks. As a result, business models will change for carriers as well as content providers due to the enhanced access IMS platforms will provide for directly reaching end-users across a variety of applications and networks.
This publication introduces and discusses critical topics including:
The importance of Quality of Service (QoS) and resource allocation optimization in IMS
Service Configuration Management (SCM) as a missing element in the IMS framework
Logical staged introduction of IMS functionality across the Transport, Control, and Services planes
Advent and evolution of the Virtual Network Operator (VNO), positioned to capitalize in IMS
Application partnering for success in IMS services development and deployment
Predictions for near-term, intermediate, and long-term introduction of IMS-based applications
- IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): Driving New Business Models and Opportunities is a must-have resource for anyone responsible for planning, designing, implementing, or managing IMS networks and/or IMS-based applications and services.
Chapter 1 – Welcome to IMS
IMS: The Open Architecture Reference Model for Convergence
Let your imagination run wild
Not so fast
Some new business opportunities are real
What’s next in this report
Chapter 2 – IMS Standards and Definitions
Who came up with this architecture?
Traditional vertically-integrated networks
IMS basic elements
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
A likely mix of the old and new
Linking the subscriber to their services
The present status of IMS standards
Chapter 3 – How IMS helps unite the Converging Telecom Sectors
It’s not like Telecom hasn’t already been changing
It’s all about Connectivity, Control and Customization
Connectivity: the first push to Convergence
Quality of service and resource allocation are critical
Customization: the user gets greater control
Chapter 4 – IMS Architecture
The Three Architectural Planes
The Network Plane
The Control Plane
The Services Plane
IMS remains a Model Architecture
Everything you always wanted to know
Chapter 5 – IMS-Based Services
Faster, Smaller, Cheaper
Early targets in the evolution towards IMS
Start with today’s network; keep it small and simple
An early IMS example: Handoffs between Mobile and WiFi
The adolescence of the Next-Gen Network will have turmoil
Are we there yet?
Chapter 6 – Changing the Service Delivery Paradigm
Where the Service Delivery Platforms reside in the network
How this new model of service delivery is different
Benefits of a new service delivery model
The door opens for alternative service providers
Rapid early deployment will likely involve partnerships
Significant challenges for billing and Service Configuration Management
Chapter 7 – Changing the Service Creation Paradigm
New Opportunities for revenue generation
Cost savings and reduction of operating expense
The HSS platform is critical to service delivery
Convergence of features will progress over time
Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) standard is used throughout IMS
Service creation partnerships with added-value
SCM: A missing element in the IMS model
Trusted versus non-trusted applications
Chapter 8 – VNO’s: A New Breed of Carrier
Reselling is nothing new
The potential of the VNO model
The reality of today – work with what you have
Trends are lessening the Carrier’s control of the Customer
VNO wrap-up
Chapter 9 – How it all fits together
The big drivers are Lower Cost and New Revenue Sources
The IMS model architecture brings new revenue opportunity
Service creation and delivery create new service partnerships
The role of Network Service Provider is permanently changing
Control of the Customer may show interesting shifts
In the end it is still about Cost and Revenue
About the Author
Endnotes
