IMS - IPTV moving together

The IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) is a network functional architecture that is seen as a promising solution for facilitating multimedia service creation and deployment, as well as supporting interoperability and network convergence. IMS allows network operators to play a central role in traffic distribution, therefore being more than —bit pipes—. The move towards all IP architecture for service delivery appears to be a string trend. In this context, customers seem to desire an access to personalized interactive, multimedia services, on any device and anywhere. This trend introduces new requirements for network infrastructures. The IMS is seen as a promising solution for fulfilling these expectations. IPTV is defined as multimedia services such as television/video/audio/text/graphics/data delivered over IP based networks managed to provide the required level of quality of service and experience, security, interactivity and reliability. The two major technology initiatives of telecom service providers-deploying IP multimedia subsystem architecture for fixed/mobile convergence and offering video services using IPTV-seem to be on a collision course. At some magical future date IPTV will become just another IP application in a converged multimedia infrastructure where services are on-demand, provisioning and billing are automated, and all network functions are carved into reusable pieces for easy packaging. This paper aims at providing an overview of the IMS and IPTV together and describing the implementation details as well as technical issues. In this changing landscape, the winners will be those companies that understand consumers' needs, focuses on usability, and increasing the ARPU by providing voice, video and data services in a unified package.