IMS - the IP Multimedia System as NGN Service Delivery Platform

This paper describes the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), a Service Delivery Platform architecture for providing multimedia applications in converging fixed and mobile IP networks, called Next Generation Networks (NGN). It introduces the IMS architecture, which represents a combination of the classic Intelligent Network concept of the telecom world and current Internet protocols, and highlights the main IMS components and control features for the provision of multimedia information and communication services. Furthermore, the paper is focusing on the IMS Quality of Service (QoS) aspects defined within 3GPP IMS and ETSI TISPAN NGN.