IMS Signaling over Current Wireless Networks: Experiments Using the Open IMS Core

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) as defined by the 3GPP emerges as blueprint for a central architecture to provide Next Generation Network (NGN) services. As overlay architecture for IP based access networks, it provides standardized interfaces to services which will merge the advantages of traditional telephony networks with the benefits of Internet services. This paper will evaluate how good the current wireless access network technologies are for usage in combination with IMS services. Based upon a reference implementation of IMS core elements, the Open IMS Core, measurements were carried out on signaling to give an indication as to what networks will be most applicable for usage, particularly for a vehicular environment.