3GSM: Lucent develops IMS enhancements

CANNES, FRANCE--Lucent Technologies kept the focus on its recent IP multimedia subsystem wins, revealing new enhancements to its IMS this week at the 3GSM World Congress.

Lucent introduced a new service enhancement layer based on recent innovations from Bell Labs. The layer resides on top of the basic IMS layer and is intended to add further converged capabilities to the platform. The layer comprises a service management tool integrating multiple subscriber information databases spanning different networks, a data integration tool integration tool that generates a unified customer profile from all the information on those disparate databases and networks, service brokering capabilities that blend multiple services while ensuring that the individual service components aren’t compromised, and a roaming tool that extends IMS functions and services outside the home network.

The layer also incorporates the X.805 standard security framework adopted by the International Telecommunications Union, and adds upgrades to the rules engine on Lucent’s IMS platform, allowing it to support greater customization from the user and allowing the carrier to offer different classes of service for particular customer segments.

Lucent Vice President of Business Strategy and Offer Management John Leonard said the different elements in the layer are designed to function in harmony, they can all be deployed separately over the standard IMS architecture. “Every customer is starting at a different point on IMS,” Leonard said. “Some of our customers may want to gradually deploy different elements, while others may want to launch the complete end-to-end solution.”

Late last year, Sprint announced that Lucent would supply the infrastructure for its initial IMS launch, geared at integrating services over its wireline and wireless networks. The deal was one of the most significant of the handful of IMS deals announced to date and the U.S. carrier commitment to the next-generation platform. Since then, Leonard said, Lucent has been building on its early success by promoting and fine-tuning its platform.

Lucent also announced two of its first partners for IMS applications at 3GSM. Both Xten and Openera will supply downloadable software clients that add VoIP and multimedia capabilities bridging PCs and handsets. Openera is providing its mobile IMS client, which delivers IMS-based multimedia like push-to-talk and video sharing. Xten is providing its SIP softphone application, which simulates the features of a small business phone system across both wireless and wireline phones.