The Telecommunications Software & Systems Group (TSSG) has reportedly launched an international carrier-grade open access IP Multimedia Subsystem (News - Alert) (IMS) test network based on Ericsson equipment. The network will allow companies working on new mobile phone applications to test their products and services on a carrier-grade private mobile network.

 

In a press release, Gearóid Mooney, ICT Commercialisation Director, Enterprise Ireland (News - Alert), said one of the biggest hurdles faced by companies is to persuade big network operators to try their technology for fear that new products might crash networks.

The IMS network provides companies working on new mobile phone applications a unique opportunity to test their products on a carrier-grade private mobile network before bringing them to market. The open test network based at TSSG will reduce the barriers to entry for any firm wishing to enter the lucrative IMS market. Enterprise Ireland is the government agency responsible for the development and promotion of the indigenous business sector.

 

The IMS network hosted at TSSG will enable technology providers to run tests, trial and validate IMS compliant products and functionality in a tested environment. It has the same capabilities as those used by large network operators. The IMS test network enables full testing of integrated Internet, mobile and television services and also consolidated and converged voice and data products and services.

 

In the release, Shane Dempsey, test centre manager, TSSG, said the dramatic uptake of Internet services like Skype (News - Alert) and Facebook and the impact on how people communicate is fuelling research activity in IMS. Since IMS is the only standards based alternative for IP network evolution, it creates new revenue opportunities by combining voice, video, content sharing, and presence while retaining the interoperability that made GSM so successful. Dempsey added that TSSG is grateful for funding received from Enterprise Ireland and for the contribution by Ericsson (News - Alert) to this project.

 

Locating the open IMS test network at the TSSG will be a stimulus for both Irish-based and International telecoms companies to avail this unique service and will also reduce the lead time in getting compliant new products to market. Founded in 1996, TSSG’s research focuses on the changes occurring in the telecommunications software industry as well as on the converged communications industry, particularly in managing networks and in developing innovative new services for those networks.