Dear Fellow IMS Forum Members and Friends:

The IMS Forum® has been busily laying the ground work for what promises to be a very successful third IMS Plugfest™ to take place October 15 to 19 at the IMS Interoperability Lab at UNH. The IMS Forum Plugfest III titled "A Network of Services" covers areas of interoperability for fixed and mobile networks. Plugfest III also provides an ideal setting to meet and speak with analysts, members of the media, and representatives of various sectors of the industry - from service providers to specialized vendors for large carriers, wireless operators and rural telecommunications providers.

Our Marketing Working Group has devised a strategy designed to counter the flood of misinformation that has impeded the progress of the IMS market. The IMS Forum will issue an "IMS Report Card" that will present objective, factual information that has emerged from the Plugfests. We have a lot of good news to share. We believe that matching hard metrics against specific criticisms and falsehoods in the market will help debunk persistent IMS myths and clarify the true state of interoperability and the readiness of the technology. Along with the Plugfests themselves, this campaign, aimed at analysts and media as well as SPs and vendors, should help clear hurdles to adoption and move the IMS market forward as a whole.  
 
We are planning an Open House during the Plugfest on Thursday, October 18th at 1pm at UNH and all companies, and members of the media and analyst communities interested in learning more about the IMS Forum's Plug fests are invited to join. The first "IMS Report Card on Services Interoperability" will be presented during this event. The Open House for press, analysts, members and prospective members will wrap up with an evening social gathering. Our members and executives are invited and encouraged to attend all or part of the Open House. All attendees will benefit from a tour of the IMS Forum's interoperability lab and an interactive discussion with experts on the progress being made through the IMS Plugfest Certification Series and on the challenges that still face the market.  
 
Continuing with a busy October schedule, the IMS Forum will be presenting the complete Plugfest III results at the Fall VON Show in Boston at the following times:

• Tuesday, October 30th - 3:15pm - 4:15pm, and
• Wednesday, October 31st - 2:15pm - 3:15pm  

We encourage you to spread the word about our Open House to your colleagues and associates and invite them to New England during the beautiful Fall foliage season. We look forward to seeing you at Plugfest III and at the IMS Forum presentation at Fall VON. If you would like to attend the Open House please contact us at info@imsforum.org to make a reservation. Please RSVP by October 10, 2007.  

Regards,

Converged voice services (CVS) is the killer IMS application everyone has been looking for, high-tech market research firm In-Stat says. Its recent research, SDP-Enabled Converged Voice Services: The IMS Killer App examines the role of service delivery platforms (SDPs) in today’s telecommunications markets, and outlines operator deployment strategies.

According to In-Stat Analyst Keith Nissen, “Consumers want convenience, simplicity, and value. CVS allows consumers to decide which type of voice services (mobile-only, fixed-only, or integrated mobile/fixed) best fit their lifestyles.”

SDPs are the means by which SPs can introduce fully-converged fixed/mobile consumer services, regardless of when network convergence will happen. SDPs can enable the next generation of value-added consumer services that will slow significantly the decline of fixed-line revenues and establish a base for the widespread use of IMS-based multimedia applications, asserts In-Stat.

Recent In-Stat statistics reveal the following trends:

• By 2011, 34 percent of US households may use only mobile services
• By 2011, US incumbent operators will lose $13 billion in fixed-line voice revenue annually to wireless substitution
• All the technology, including SDPs, middleware and applications, needed to support next-generation converged consumer voice services is available today

In-Stat believes that the market opportunity for converged CVS supports the conclusion that building demand for IP-based multimedia applications must start with services that appeal to the consumer mass market.

Q & A with Ajay Gupta, Vice President, Aricent, www.aricent.com

IMS Forum: Please describe your company and the role that your company plays in IP multimedia subsystems (IMS) interoperability?

Ajay Gupta: Aricent offers an unrivalled portfolio of software services and products for the communications industry.  Aricent sets the standards for designing, developing and maintaining software that enables communications equipment manufacturers, device manufacturers and service providers to
improve their time-to-revenue and maximize efficiency.

Aricent employs more than 7,500 designers, consultants and engineers on a
global basis. We have one of the largest communications research and development teams outside of the leading equipment manufacturers. Aricent is an international company, covering all the major continents. We have significant numbers of employees in the US, India, Ukraine, UK, Germany, China and South Africa. Altogether Aricent has a presence in 15 countries. Aricent includes frog design, a strategic-creative consultancy, with design studios across the US, in Milan, Stuttgart and Shanghai. Together Aricent and frog create next-generation user experiences in the communications space, for example the companies jointly researched, designed and developed the award-winning Celltop, a mobile client application enabling the simple delivery of content, commerce and communication services.

Aricent provides IMS software products and services which span from the handset to network infrastructure. For the handset we have developed key IMS technologies, such as multimedia engines, a customizable IMS client and an IMS application development environment. IMS is all about delivering innovative user experiences, so the working with frog design we are able design and roll-out new IMS-based applications for service providers.

On the network side, we work with equipment manufacturers to develop, test
and maintain IMS products. Aricent has set up a state-of-the art IMS Convergence Lab which has been used by a number of equipment manufacturers and test tool companies. The lab enables testing of equipment across heterogeneous access networks, multi-protocol implementations and fixed-mobile convergence services, spanning the entire spectrum of conformance, performance and end-to-end IMS testing.

Lastly, we provide consulting for service providers  who need help navigating through the IMS space. Service providers are currently at a cross-road and need a roadmap for end-to-end IMS implementation. Aricent is uniquely positioned to help clients carry out interoperability, system integration and end-to-end testing from the handset to the network core. This experience means Aricent has developed a deep insight into the real issues that operators face as they deploy IMS networks.

IMS Forum: What is the role of the IMS Forum and the Plugfest
Certification Series?

Ajay Gupta: The Plugfests were a critical factor in our decision to become an IMS Forum member. When we developed SIP technologies, a number of dynamics occurred that allowed the industry to ensure products were interoperable. Initially IMS was confined to four or five significant companies who were less interested in creating interoperable products as they differentiated themselves in the early market. However, in order to create a large number of interoperable products, the industry needs a neutral forum where everyone can come together and test the
interoperability of their products. In this scenario, IMS Forum through the Plugfest has been doing an excellent job of accelerating the interoperability of IMS applications and services, driving seamless service delivery across enterprise and
residential consumers.

At Plugfest –III, Aricent will showcase a UE Emulator and a Vulnerability Testing Engine, for critically examining the robustness of components in the IMS architecture under non-standard scenarios.

IMS Forum: What are the keys to IMS success in the industry?

Ajay Gupta: I draw a parallel between the evolution of IMS and VoIP.  IMS is not a particular technology, rather IMS is a complete architecture and you need to adopt the whole architecture in order to gain the full benefit.

It took 5 to 6 years for VoIP to take root, then roll out in enterprise networks and to consumers. For IMS will be the same story.

The true potential of IMS will only be realized if we have IMS clients on handsets or other devices. Until then you IMS will never reach the consumer. While there are some sample handsets with IMS clients out there, personally I don’t believe that we are ready for a mass roll-out of IMS clients. I think we are ready for trial phase handsets with specific IMS clients such as push-to-talk and video-oriented services. Music downloads are another case in point.

Femtocells are an exciting new development which I believe will be at the core of IMS success. This is a new technology in the wireless domain. It is like a WiFi router, but communicates to a mobile device using the GSM standards. For the backhaul, femtocells rely on fixed wire or cable, broadband internet lines. In the future I anticipate that IMS clients will be embedded into femtocells to create a highly functional residential IMS gateway.

Today the industry is facing enormous pressures. Consumers are demanding more services and less expensive calls, so operational and capital expenses must be reduced. This pressure could be eased if the wireless network is architected differently. You can deploy technologies such as femtocells and WiFi in ways to decongest the network and deliver better network and cost efficiencies.

There will not be a single event that will lead to the successful development of IMS. It will be multiple events coming together to deliver a comprehensive IMS network. I am keen to ensure that Aricent plays an active role in the deployment of IMS products and services because we believe that ultimately communications software will empower billions of people to radically change the world.

(To participate in at any of the following working Groups email info@imsforum.org)

The IMS Forum Technical Working Group is intensifying its activities in the preparation for the third IMS Forum Plugfest and the release of a series of white papers and the documentation of best practices.

Interoperability Working Group Set for Plugfest III
The IMS Forum Plugfest III titled “A Network of Services” covers areas of interoperability for fixed and mobile networks focusing on the realization of applications and services delivered over the IMS and NGN network, specifically:

• VoIP, Instant Messaging and FMC
• Video and Multimedia
• Services for Businesses and Unified Communications
• User and Application Profile Handling
• Security, Reliability and Robustness Testing for IMS Services

This Interoperability Working Group concentrates on the development of the interoperability test (IOT) plan and certification process.  The group has been finalizing its work for the third of the IMS Forum Plugfests series. The group has expanded the class 5 / VoIP tests, developed new instant messaging (IM) and SMS (short message service) interworking tests and is working on reliability and availability of IMS services.

In addition to test case development, the IOT group has worked with the Technical Working Group on white papers addressing a number of technical issues that the Plugfest series has helped uncover.

More details about the test plan development and how to join can be obtained from info@imsforum.org.

Technical Working Group Releases Three New White Papers
The Technical Working Group is pleased to announce that it will soon release three new leading-edge white papers that further establish the IMS Forum as an authority for IMS network deployments and product development. The intention of these white papers is to make technical information readily accessible to SPs and vendors. A number of member companies are contributing to the white paper program including Argela, Mascon-Global, Mu Security, Encore Software, and Reef Point Systems. The white papers are titled:

1. The Role of PRACK in IMS, Hong Staley
2. Secure Mobile Communications with AKA Signaling, Scott Poretsky & Paul Wilgosiewicz, a graduate student at the Illinois Institute of Technology
3. Sponsored Call Applications, Seyhan Civanlar
   

Any person or company interested in contributing to an original white paper should contact techchair@imsforum.org.

Marketing Working Group 
The Marketing group is pleased to note that the IMS Forum has participated in several industry events in September, including:

• Sept. 10 – 12: TMC Internet Telephony, Los Angeles, CA
  • Speaking Session: “Introduction to IMS” and “Testing IMS Networks”
  • 
    
• Sept. 19: Webinar with  Radvision and Pulver Inc., “Challenges and Solutions in IMS Development”
  • Webinar covered the fundamental processes of IMS network element development and the inherent challenges developers face.
  • 
    
• Sept. 19 – 20: IMS Executive Summit, Washington, DC
  • Speaking Session: “Examining IMS Interoperability and Standards Testing”  
  • 
    
• Sept. 25 – 27: WiMax Conference, Chicago, IL
  • Panel Discussion --  When  Worlds Collide WiMAX and IMS,”
  • Panel of Judges for the Best of WiMax World USA 2007

In addition, the marketing group is currently in the middle of an outbound calling campaign to invite additional companies to participate in Plugfest and Forum activities. Any organization considering participation should contact: info@imsforum.org.

The IMS Forum® is a global, non-profit industry association devoted to interoperable IP Multimedia Subsystems and NGN services and solutions. The IMS Forum’s mission is to accelerate the interoperability of IMS applications and services, enabling enterprise and residential consumers to quickly benefit from the delivery of quadruple play voice, video, internet and mobile content over broadband cable, wireless and fixed networks. The IMS Forum is the initiator and organizer of IMS Plugfest™, the industry’s only event focused on IMS services interoperability verification and certification.

IMS applications and services comprise residential VoIP, entertainment including IPTV and gaming, IP Centrex / IP PBX and unified communications for business including fixed-mobile converged services, videoconferencing and web-collaboration.

The IMS Forum Plugfests, typically held every 3 to 4 months, bring together dozens of industry-leading IMS vendors from around the world, all of whom build real, full-featured, IMS networks during the test event.

If you are interested in joining the IMS Forum, Plugfests or in participating in any of the working groups or marketing programs, please contact the IMS Forum at info@imsforum.org or visit: www.IMSForum.org

Members are leading and shaping the future of IMS. Joining the IMS Forum enables members to:

• Verify and certify interoperability, reduce costs and accelerate time to market.
• Participate in technical working groups focusing on service creation and applications for IMS architecture framework as well as IMS deployment issues.
• Gain additional visibility through the IMS Forum's Speakers Bureau, public relations and marketing programs.
• Showcase member companies at major telecom, cable, and wireless events in North America, Asia, and Europe.
• Receive current market and technology information through newsletters, reports, white papers and conferences.
• Gain access to an informed professional network of industry consultants and accredited experts.

The IMS Forum’s pace of participating in several upcoming industry events continues.

• Oct. 7 – 10: Telephony Live: COMPTEL PLUS, Dallas, TX
  • Speaking Session on October 7 “The Promise (and Threat) of IMS”


• Oct. 15 – 19: IMS Forum Plugfest III, UNH-IOL


• Oct. 16-18: ISPCON, San Jose, CA
  • Speaking Session on Oct. 18: “Is IMS A Necessary Step on the Road to Web 2.0?”


• Oct. 23 – 25: CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment, San Francisco, CA


• Oct. 23 – 25:TelcoTV, Atlanta, GA
  • Speaking Session on October 25: “Screen Convergence – How Do You Get There?”


• Oct. 29 – Nov. 1: VON 2007, Boston
  • Speaking Session-Presentation of IMS Forum Plugfest III Results:
    • Tuesday, October 30th – 3:15pm – 4:15pm
    • Wednesday, October 31st – 2:15pm – 3:15pm


• Oct. 25 – 26: Third Annual IIT VoIP Conference and Expo, Wheaton, IL
  • Speaking Session on October 26: “IMS - Porting Telephony to an IP Infrastructure"


• Nov. 5 – 8: Telecoms Signaling World Forum, Central London, UK
  • Speaking Session on Nov. 7: “Managing The Signaling Services That Are Enabled In IMS Networks”


• Nov. 7: IMS MMD Show, Dallas TX
  • Speaking Session on November 7: “Why Is IMS Necessary on the Road to Web 2.0? Understanding the Role of IMS in Enabling Carriers to Compete in Tomorrow’s Telco Environment”
  • Speaking Session on Nov. 7: “How Can Carriers Support the Co-existence of New and Traditional Services on an IMS Platform? Exploring the Best Strategy for Service Development”


• Nov. 27– 29: Next Generation Network, Services & Devices Management Summit (IQPC) , San Francisco, CA
  • Keynotes and speaking

Showcase Your Expertise and Leadership: Call for Speakers
The IMS Forum invites members to join its exclusive Speakers’ Bureau. Members have an excellent opportunity to raise the visibility of thier companies and senior executives while representing the IMS Forum at future trade shows and conferences. If you are interested in being included in this, simply send an email to pr@imsforum.org. Please include a copy of the proposed speaker’s bio and indicate any specific IMS-related speaking topics and expertise. Speaking topic abstracts of one or two paragraphs are especially helpful. Please note that speaking opportunities are open to IMS Forum members only.

IMS Forum to Announce Plugfest III Results at Fall VON 2007

The IMS Forum will announce the results from Plugfest III at the Fall VON 2007 (www.fallvon.com), October 29 – November 1 in Boston. The Fall VON Show will address critical IP Communications issues, and provide attendees with superior conference content, unmatched networking opportunities and the opportunity to maximize the applications made possible by IP Communications technologies, including; IP Voice, FMC, Wireless mobility, IPTV, presence and positioning. As a member of the IMS Forum you are entitled to conference discounts and free Expo Pass.

Management World Americas 2007, November 4-8, 2007 at the Adams Mark Hotel & Convention Center in Dallas, is the largest trade show and conference in the Americas dedicated to issues surrounding the management of telecom, media & information services. The show is aimed at service providers, vendors, systems integrators and industry experts who focus on rolling out and managing new and complex communications services over next generation networks. IMS Forum member discount code: PXF4UM.

ISPCON, October 16 - 18, 2007 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center

ISPCON is THE Internet industry event. A conference and tradeshow for wired and wireless ISPs, CLECs, webhosts, VoIP providers and other Internet-based business professionals. The entire industry comes to build and develop for the future at ISPCON. IMS Forum member discount code: IMSF7.

TelcoTV Conference & Expo, October  23-25, 2007 - Atlanta, GA

TelcoTV is the leading destination for the converging ecosystems of broadband and entertainment. From MobileTV to IPTV, to NetVideo, TelcoTV delivers the most comprehensive examination of the convergence of communications and entertainment and its impact on SPs from across the globe. IMS Forum member discount code: IMS.

NexGNet – November 27-29, San Francisco, CA

America’s Next Generation Networks, Services & Device Management Summit.  Helping you keep pace with Telecom expansion and establish best practices for successful Network Deployment strategies.  Key industry experts will share their forward looking thoughts on IMS/FMC including a realistic analysis of the profitability of the services created by IT/Telecom/Media convergence. As a member of the IMS Forum you are entitled to 20 percent discount.

IMS MMD Conference

At the IMS MMD Conference to be held November 6 – 7, 2007, Informa Telecoms & Media are bringing together US/Canadian representatives of the hole IMS community to explore and resolve the commercial and strategic challenges
that lay ahead at this year’s IMS MMD event.

Recent IMS Forum press titles:

The following links highlight some of he press coverage that the IMS Forum has received over the past few months.

9/11/2007        Telecommunications Magazine          
Working groups working together

8/24/2007        Light Reading TV      
Interview with Michael Khalilian              

June 2007        IMS Magazine
“IMS and SIP” and the IMS Forum Plan at NXTcomm

6/19/2007        NXTComm Daily News  - Telephony
In the NXTcomm spotlight: Manuel Vexler, IMS Forum  

6/18/2007        Telecommunications Magazine
NXTComm: IMS Moves from Hype to Reality  

5/23/2007        Telephony Magazine
Argela injecting ads into VoIP calls  

We welcome your feedback. Tell us what types of articles you would like to see in this newsletter.

Just send an e-mail to PR@imsforum.org

Thank you.