Presence service in 3G networks

The presence service is one of the new services being introduced for future 3G mobile networks. It will allow the publication of a user's presence information, for example his availability, his address, his communication means, his location, etc. Mobile operators consider instant messaging as a potential traffic-driver for 3G networks. However, a flexible presence service will also allow the introduction of other advanced multimedia applications: the user could define, for example, the communication means most suitable for him at a given time (SMS, voice call, e-mail etc.), the user could be informed when one of his friends is nearby, and so on. Although the service requirements for presence service have already been defined by 3GPP, the presence service architecture is still under definition. The paper presents Fujitsu's views on the subject.