Presence Server Launched - Brings IM Status to Phones

Comverse has launched a Presence Server, that will enable handsets to be aware of the availability status of other "buddies" in their phonebook or instant messenger program. Providing real-time indication of the desired party's ability and willingness to communicate, presence enables operators to offer attractive new services, stimulate service usage, and potentially generate increased revenues.

Presence is already a well known concept in IM platforms where a persons availability at their computer is broadcast to other people, but within the mobile environment, one of the more interesting deployments could well be the dynamic updating of the phonebook of other handsets. If you are busy, you can update your status, and the network silently notifies the phones of your "buddies" and their phone memory is updated. The next time the use the phone memory to phone you, they will see your status as unavailable and know not to bother you for a while.

The Comverse Presence Server supports an array of Comverse and third-party applications. The Presence Server is designed to enable 2G operators to deploy appealing presence-enhanced applications today, and grow to a full IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) application environment over next-generation 2.5G and 3G networks. The system architecture is optimized to serve multiple IMS applications - such as Push to Talk, mobile IM, and voice conferencing - through one robust centralized component. Featuring a high-capacity scalable architecture and supporting leading mobile communication protocols and standards (such as OMA, IMPS and SIP), the system is designed to help operators migrate from legacy to next-generation networks.

"The Comverse Presence Server is positioned to become a central component of the operator's value-added services infrastructure, empowering a wide range of presence-enhanced services," said Benny Einhorn, Chief Marketing Officer at Comverse. "The Presence Server adds a new dimension to the Comverse Total Communication(tm) environment, further improving the user experience and driving operator revenues."

Posted to the site on 8th February 2005