Siemens, FT Test IMS Systems

CANNES, France -- As part of their strategic partnership established in the summer of 2004, telecommunications operator France Telecom and the Siemens Communications Group have established a first milestone in the field of convergence solutions for fixed and mobile networks (known as “Fixed Mobile Convergence”, or FMC for short). Orange UK and Wanadoo successfully tested the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) as a reference solution for future convergence applications. In this project, Siemens Communications provided end-to-end expertise as an equipment supplier, combining solutions from the fixed network, mobile network and end device sectors. France Telecom contributed its integrated operator know-how in service definition, integration in fixed and mobile networks, application developments, SIP protocol on PC’s and access equipment to the broadband network.

To test the new reference solution, France Telecom set up a trial on lab test with a commercial version of IMS, using the standardized platform for combined voice and data services, and enhanced it with a host of features for fixed-line network customers. The selected solution is based on the TISPAN architecture approach. TISPAN, a technical committee within ETSI that is responsible for “Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for Advanced Networking”, is preparing specifications for a first release of the NGN standards to provide IP-based multimedia services for mobile and fixed networks users.

The test bed of this reference solution also includes linking DSL subscribers via IP to the IMS platform, making VoIP support available across the entire test network. In addition, the testers integrated a Voice Media Gateway in order to link the different voice and data transmission technologies on the fixed and mobile networks.

To demonstrate the capabilities of this new architecture, two experimentations (”bicycle courier” and “family communication” application scenarios) will be carried out. They will take place in February and involve the top management teams of each partner. The first one aims to support more productive package deliveries by mobile delivery staff and the second should provide a family the ability to reach from home, through any terminal, its whole mobile environment. Both combine various IMS-based services like Push-and-Talk, Mobile Presence Manager, Instant Messaging and VoIP, making them available on various terminals, such as PCs, mobile phones and IP-based fixed-line phones.

In the third test phase, France Telecom and Siemens are focusing on the development of additional IMS-based and TISPAN-compliant services and plan to test the convergence solution on a larger scale with about 200 end-users.

France Telecom SA

Siemens Communications Group