Testing Interoperability of Future Mobile Services

In an initiative designed to ensure the quality and interoperability of new multimedia services, the GSM Association has brought together key players from the mobile network operator, GRX carrier, and vendor communities, to take part in trials to prove the technical interoperability of equipment and the practical interconnection of networks, for SIP-based services.

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is the underlying protocol used for a host of session-based services such as Instant Messaging, Push to talk over Cellular, videotelephony and multiplayer games, where the session remains open although traffic may be sporadic. The next wave of SIP-based IP multimedia services, based on the 3GPP IMS architecture, will enable a wealth of new person-to-person services, which will enrich the way that people communicate with each other combining voice, imaging and video within a single experience.

To live up to the expectations of GSM users, these need to be interoperable irrespective of the equipment and number of networks involved. Recognising this, 13 companies, including: Belgacom, Cable & Wireless, Ericsson, KPN, MMO2, Motorola, Nokia, Orange, SFR, Siemens, Telenor, TeliaSonera, and Vodafone, signed a GSM Association MoU in December 2004, to actively promote interoperability for SIP-based services.

The first results of this commitment were seen in a test campaign, completed in February 2005, which demonstrated cross-network and cross-platform interoperability. The trial system used infrastructure based on the 3GPP IMS standard, real handsets provided by Nokia with test applications such as voice instant messaging, video sharing and gaming, employing both 2G and 3G access networks. It involved six mobile operators (KPN, Orange, SFR, Telenor, TeliaSonera and Vodafone); four GRX carriers (Belgacom, Cable & Wireless, KPN and TeliaSonera); and three major infrastructure vendors (Ericsson, Nokia and Siemens).

"Customers want universal connectivity, not isolated island communities. This trial proves the commitment of the industry to the interoperability of SIP-based multimedia services prior to service launch, something that will benefit all customers," explained Rob Conway, CEO and Member of the Board, GSM Association.

Anni Vepsalainen, President TeliaSonera Finland and sponsor of the trial on the GSM Association Board explained, "TeliaSonera is excited to be involved in this trial, which is an important step in a more long-term initiative that the whole industry views as essential for the continuing growth of reliable and easy-to-use services. Our customers expect the same level of service they have grown accustomed to with existing mobile services, and we want to be in the front line building an environment which forms a basis for the interoperability of new IMS-based services.

The trial system's structure builds on an existing GRX model to add SIP hubbing to facilitate global interoperability. The hub concept and supporting principles have already been proven in MMS trials conducted in the second half of 2004. The MMS hub concept is expected to be commercially operational by the end of Q1 with at least eight carriers connecting over 150 mobile operators by the end of 2005."

Posted to the site on 16th February 2005