Service Delivery within an IMS Environment

The IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) standard is being widely adopted by both wireline and wireless service providers to support the next wave of multimedia communication applications. As currently defined, that IMS standard proposes a detailed architecture for the transport and control layers of the next-generation telecommunication networks, but leaves many questions unanswered on how the application layer should be structured. A more structured approach to service delivery will be required in order to deliver new multi-media applications in an efficient and cost-effective way. An approach based on service delivery platform (SDP) proposes a layered service architecture, with a strong emphasis on re-use of common service enablers and on open APIs. This paper describes work being undertaken within HP's IMS Experience Center to validate a horizontal service delivery architecture for next-generation IP multimedia applications.