Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Nokia Previews Fixed/Mobile Convergence at 3GSM

Nokia is launching a number of new products at next week's 3GSM World Congress in Cannes, including many aimed at fixed/mobile convergence based on the IMS architecture. These products include:

  • The Nokia Telecommunications Application Server (TAS), a SIP application server that makes possible the convergence of legacy voice and SIP-driven VoIP communications by providing mobile telephony services independent of access. The TAS could be used to offer fixed and mobile VoIP end-users the same kind of telephony services as in today's mobile networks, such as Caller ID and SMS, as well as Intelligent Network features such as Prepaid. The Nokia TAS is built upon the 3GPP Rel 4 compliant Nokia MSC Server system. Its functionality can be added to any existing Nokia MSC Server with an upgrade. Nokia said trial deployments are already underway.


  • Nokia is also launching its Dual Transfer Mode (DTM), a 3GPP-specified technology that enables simultaneous voice and data connections in GSM/EDGE networks. DTM enables new applications like video sharing, while enhancing service continuity when operators introduce WCDMA. The Nokia DTM end-to-end solution requires only a software upgrade to Nokia GSM/EDGE radio networks. The solution will be available for operator testing in Q4 2005 and commercially available in first quarter 2006.


  • The Nokia Flexi Intelligent Service Node is a new product for helping operators of packet data networks to flexibly introduce and manage new data services for the mobile mass market and thus increase data service usage. It allows operators to control service access, charging, quality, and usage in a flexible and intelligent way when delivering advanced packet-based services. It supports a broad choice of charging models suited to a range of user traffic. It supports multi-access such as WLAN, Enhanced GPRS (EDGE), WCDMA 3G, and circuit-switched data. The Nokia Flexi ISN is available now.


  • The Nokia Intelligent Content Delivery System release 3 increases the service and subscriber awareness of the Nokia intelligent Packet Core. As part of the release, the Nokia Intelligent Service Configurator (ICS) and Nokia Profile Manager (NPM) are introduced as pre-integrated elements of the ICD system. The Nokia ICS lets operators define, provision, and manage end-user services consisting of multiple service components, while the NPM allows IP services to be activated and charged on a subscription basis, plus it allows both operators and subscribers to create and modify personalized end-user profiles. Nokia Intelligent Content Delivery System release 3 also includes Double Wallet functionality, enabling business customers to charge work-related and personal data service usage to different accounts under the same subscription. The Nokia Intelligent Content Delivery System has already been deployed in 36 networks globally. Release 3 will be available in third quarter 2005.


  • Nokia Push to talk over Cellular (PoC) Solution release 1.5 adds new features such as dial-out group calling, which allows users to initiate group calls to temporary groups, as well as MSISDN dialing, which lowers barriers for GSM subscribers by allowing them to use their normal mobile numbers for push to talk. The release also includes interface enhancements to allow the interconnection of PoC services between operators, an important feature as the market moves towards wider adoption of push to talk services. The release is available in second quarter 2005.


  • Nokia Presence Solution 2.0 brings support for SIP, which allows operators to apply Presence to SIP-based applications, such as PoC. This will allow PoC users to see whether another mobile user is available for a PoC call before initiating the call. Release 2.0 will be available in second quarter 2005.



http://www.nokia.com