Some definition about IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystems).

By Daniel Anselmo Bustos

Introduction:

The scope of this document is clarify some concepts used in IMS (IP Multimedia
Subsystems), as we see in [1], IMS is the key element in the next generation architecture
that makes it possible to provide multi access to Internet services. IMS can seamlessly
combine ongoing communication sessions with multimedia elements, for example sharing
live video while talking or by chatting during a multiplayer game.
Its architecture is based on the characteristics from both telecom and IT and unlocks
the closed communication environments of today. The openness provides opportunities for
the fixed and mobile community, like inter connect, where consumer services can be
shared, despite different subscriptions and telecom operator.
From a network perspective, IMS is a standardized, intelligent architecture, based on
industry standard interfaces and IT-protocols (e.g. SIP). The main functionality is to control
and deliver multimedia services. It is separated into three layers - an application layer, a
control layer and connectivity layer, for both fixed and mobile operators.(See figure 1).
Each layer can evolve independently as market and technology develop. IMS is a
cornerstone for providing converged multimedia services across multiple accesses.

The benefits of IMS

From a consumer perspective, it’s all about enhancing the multimedia experience. It’s the

Figure 1: 3 Layer components

convenience of bringing person to person communication values together and providing
ease of use by making everything available in one device. Combinations of various
content and communication types, sharing with others and inviting multiple contacts - all
this can be consumed in one session on any terminal, using the best available access.
The standardized services, based on IMS, also allow a global reach to friends all over the
world, despite different subscriptions and telecom operators.

For operators, IMS provides a window of opportunities. They can challenge the ever
growing competition and search for new revenue streams by expanding their business
into new markets and differentiate themselves with new offerings. By using the possibilities
that IMS offers by combining the standardized communications like voice, messaging etc,
with their own innovations and third party services and applications, the operator can offer
new appealing service packages.
These new service offerings will provide immediate top line revenues. IMS will also enable
mass market creation beyond voice and SMS. On a long term basis, there are cost
benefits of having one IMS solution over which multiple applications can be launched.
Reusability of components and common interfaces to be integrated into the existing
network system are lowering overall costs. IMS is a natural evolution path for an All-IP
environment.

Beginning with the definition.

The IMS Eco System.

The new paradigm brings industries and capabilities together. IMS is a cross-industry
phenomenon, which means that no single player alone can satisfy the consumer anymore.
The cooperation between industry players in open and standardized solutions is the
market making engine, called the ecosystem. The IMS Ecosystem is intended to create a
win-win situation for the involved parties, where together they will be able to offer new
attractive offerings and new business opportunities. In the ecosystem you find innovators,
system integrators, device and terminal vendors, system vendors, application developers,
network and service providers, broadband and cable providers, internet service providers
and standardization bodies cooperating to meet consumer desires.

IMS EcoSystem: The possibilities for many different actors to create added value and
build sustainable business within the IMS architecture.

IMS MULTIMEDIA TELEPHONY SERVICES (IMT)

The IMS Multimedia Telephony (IMT) solution provides voice and video
communication (Assuming the user equipment has video capability), with a wide range of
traditional ‘PSTN’ and new Value-Add Services (VAS) for both Residential and Enterprise
(company) users.
It also provides other services such as Presence, Instant Messaging and Self-
Management via a web portal, plus Group services like Group pick-up, Call Centre, Auto
Attendant, short dialing etc. In addition, Regulatory Services directed to service providers
(Network Services) are provided, such as Malicious Call Tracing, Lawful Intercept,
Emergency Call, Call Barring and Number Portability.

Type of User:
 • The Residential or Personal user is usually a private individual who subscribes to
the services by entering into a contract with an operator or other service provider.

• The Enterprise or Group user is an employee of a company, who uses the services
as a part of their job. In this case the company enters into a contract with the
operator or other service provider for the whole company to use the services and
the Enterprise or Group administrator manages the users and services within the
company. This user has all the Personal user services available to them, plus
additional Group services. IMT also provides support for other services such as
Voicemail, Conference Services, personalized greetings etc.

Describing below some services provides by IMT :

Personal Services: Personal services are assigned to specific users, and are used,
managed, and configured by the end-user. The services range from standard services,
such as simple audio & video calling, to conferencing and other high-end services.
The personal services are used by both residential and enterprise/group end-users. IMS
Multimedia Telephony provides all of the traditional PSTN call functions. The call functions
apply both to voice and video calls with the exception of multiparty calls.

Examples of personal services are the following:

• Audio, fax, and video calls

• Instant messaging
• Presence management
• Voice and Video mailboxes
• Voice Portal
• Selective call acceptance/rejection
• Advanced call handling services such as: call forwarding and last number redial
• Distinctive ringing.

Group Services: A Group is typically a small/medium business or a part of a large

enterprise. Group services apply to groups of users and are administered by a group
administrator. The group services are usually used by enterprise end-users.
Examples of group services are the following:

• Receptionist: is a console that builds on the traditional telephony offering used by

“front-of-house” receptionists and/or telephone attendants who screen inbound calls
for groups and enterprises. The Receptionist Application offers a powerful and user
friendly interface to manage incoming calls.
• Auto attendant services which serves as an automated receptionist that answers
the phone and provides a personalized message to callers with options for
connecting to the operator, dialling by name or extension .
• Call Centres with incoming calls received by a single phone number distributed
among a group of users, or agents
• Conferencing: The conferencing service allows users to schedule, initiate and
manage conference calls with both internal and external parties. Subscribers can
schedule and manage conferences by using a simple and user-friendly web based
portal interface, accessible from any PC with a standard web browser.
• Basic Hunt Groups routing incoming calls that are not directed to a specific user
number to the next available user in the hunt group, according the group policy
settings for the hunt group.
• Call park and call park retrieve enables an end-user to hold a call and to retrieve it
from another station within the group
• Calling plan for incoming, outgoing, and forwarded/transferred calls

Groups of users can be organised in different ways. In the simplest example, a group is
just an arbitrary selection of users. But, users may also be organised into hierarchical
departments within the structure of an enterprise. In this context, a group may consist of
one or several departments.

For the best understanding of Group enterprise services, we will describe below the Large
group enterprise function offered by Ericsson solution.

Large Group Enterprise Function: An Enterprise is a large organisation which can consist
of several groups.See figure 2. Calls between groups can be made using a prefix
(Location code) and the extension number. The large Enterprise service is optional in IMT
and a Large Enterprise user will look like any other user from the system point of view.
Figure 2: Group and Department Hierarchies

Each group under the enterprise may be given a location code. Departments may be
created directly under the Enterprise or under a group. Sub departments may also be
defined. Departments created directly under the enterprise may have sub departments in a
group. Users may be defined under groups or departments on any level. All IMT users
must be registered in order to make basic calls or use call related services and this applies
to all Enterprise users.
An Enterprise can be administered by an Enterprise administrator using by example the
CommPilot Web portal or by the operator’s Customer Administration Service (CAS).
Departments and groups can be controlled independently by different administrators.

Business Trunking.

Business Trunking (Figure 3 ) is a way to deliver services to enterprises which retain

existing PBXs. With Business Trunking, it is possible to connect users that are served by
existing PBXs into the IMT system, by integrating external SIP-PBXs and H.323-PBXs.
Figure 3: Business Trunking

The H.323-PBX or SIP-PBX is connected to the N-SBG of the IMT network. Since the SIP-
PBX and the H.323-PBX never register to the solution, the routing to and from the PBX is
based on preconfigured data and number analysis in the S-CSCF, N-SBG, DNS, MGC and
HSS.
Business Trunking adds licenses into the Centrex Server to deliver some group and
personal services to PBX users. This enables enterprises to define an enterprise-wide
group where some users are connected to a PBX and some are connected with SIP
Phones/Clients. Users must be registered in the IMT network using a gateway between
the PBX and IMT system (N-SBG). This means PBX users must be defined in the N-SBG
which will then be able to register the users into the IMT Network, using a pre-defined
‘Trunk Group’ value.

MMTEL

MMTel is a service set that uses IMS architecture. As we said first, IMS is a standardized
architecture for controlling and delivering multimedia services that employ IP for transport
and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for service signaling. It is important to note that in this
context “standardized” refers only to the architecture (nodes, protocols, interfaces) and not
to the services delivered on top of it. In both WCDMA and GSM technology, the standards
encompassed the architecture as well as the service set. This means that the service
cannot be taken away from the architecture. IMS, however, is different. It is a standardized
architecture but it does not include any standardized services. Consequently, IMS must be
combined with something else e.g. MMTel services. For a service to be deployed to the
mass market, it must contain several standardized functions, including: a Network-to-
Network Interface (NNI) that supports interconnection between operators; and a User-to-
Network Interface (UNI) that enables users with standardized devices to benefi t from the
services. One advantage of the IMS architecture is its versatility and fl exibility. It can be
used to deliver all kinds of services. Even so, this does not mean that all services over IMS
have been standardized. In fact, only a few service sets have been standardized to date.
If you need more information or comment this document, please contact me:
dansebus@gmail.com

References:

[1] IMS tutorial with SDS examples.

http://worldims.weebly.com/uploads/3/2/7/5/3275856/ims-tutorial-with-sds-examples.pdf