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Siemens IMS Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) Solution Helps Enable the Sharing of Multimedia Applications Across Mobile, Broadband and Fixed Networks

Posted on: Monday, 20 March 2006, 09:00 CST

Siemens Communications today announced a new version of its Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS)-based fixed mobile convergence (FMC) solution with a deployment model supporting the enterprise market, the consumer cable operator market as well as the fixed/mobile telephony market.

Enhanced by a number of global and U.S. IMS/FMC trials with a range of service providers over the last year, Siemens is leveraging its multi-industry expertise to enable barrier-free multimedia service delivery, independent of device preferences. The Siemens(R) IMS/FMC solution features transparent roaming and active handoffs across fixed and mobile networks. The solution includes personalized multimedia services and - for enterprises - presence-aware collaboration technologies that help improve workflow and business process efficiencies.

"Siemens' IMS subsystem technology is the answer for enterprises and consumers who want devices to work seamlessly together - including presence-aware features that direct calls, messages, pictures, documents, video and other content to the device of choice and in ways that are more convenient for people at a given moment," said Harald Braun, president, Networks Division, Siemens Communications Inc. "This solution opens the door to seamless provisioning opportunities for operators."

Converged network consumer features of the Siemens IMS/FMC portfolio include:

-- Intelligent Address Book - Stored on the Siemens IMS/FMC subsystem and, therefore, accessible on all networks, contact information may only need to be entered once and is available to all end devices - mobile phones, PDAs, desktop phones and laptops. The application is secured to prohibit other subscribers from accessing it.

-- Roaming Button - Allows a subscriber to receive calls and messages on the device that he or she is currently using. The roaming feature can be enabled or disabled based on presence and availability information.

-- Call-and-Share - Data and voice work together with this feature. While calling from home to a friend with a mobile phone to explain directions, for example, a subscriber could also sketch a route on a city map and send the instructions to the friend's mobile phone during the conversation.

Hosted Enterprise Solutions

Hosted enterprise services are also part of the Siemens IMS/FMC solution, enabling people, teams and organizations to communicate more efficiently and integrate essential business applications and workflow processes. The IMS/FMC solution incorporates technology from the award-winning Siemens HiPath(R) OpenScape(R) collaboration portal - developed by the Siemens Communications Group's Enterprise Division - providing presence-enhanced tools for more effective multimedia correspondence including voice, messaging, document sharing, video and conferencing.

With presence as well as permission-based controls, all tied together by a single network subsystem, both scheduled and ad-hoc meetings can more effectively function across all media and networks. This helps provide on-the-go workers advanced mobility features without the sacrifice of productivity tools.

Industry Proven IMS/FMC

With its IMS/FMC solution, Siemens has already successfully demonstrated dual-mode handset usage such as moving a single call across different types of coverage areas - either at work or at home. The solution has also met several operator needs for providing users with features such as single-number access across devices and the ability to give users access to applications across different network types.

The Siemens IMS/FMC portfolio integrates both packet- and circuit-switched telephony networks as well as a range of different wireless and fixed technologies. In several trials, for example, the solution supported gaming between a player on a wireless device against a player on a fixed-line network device.

Siemens' IMS solutions also recently passed GSM Association tests that are based on session initiation protocol (SIP). The tests are conducted at the laboratories of leading Asian, European and U.S. W-CDMA/GSM wireless operators. The tests check whether the multimedia applications of different vendors work harmoniously together across the infrastructure boundaries of different operators. Siemens' solutions demonstrated the quality, stability and range of functions specified by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP).

The Siemens IMS/FMC solution builds on the proven Siemens IMS@vantage(R) 4.0 core technology. The portfolio includes the SURPASS(R) hiQ 8000 NCS-compliant Media Gateway Controller and the SURPASS hiQ 4200 voice feature server. IMS@vantage and SURPASS solutions are standards-based and backed by deployment, integration, operational conceptualization, provisioning, security and performance support.

Available in the spring, the Siemens IMS/FMC solution complies with the NCS cable standard, allowing full support of IMS and PacketCable services within one service network infrastructure.

About Siemens

Siemens AG (NYSE:SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $96 billion in fiscal 2005. Founded nearly 160 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $18.8 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eleven of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 460,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.

About Siemens Communications Inc.

Siemens Communications Inc. offers its customers a broad portfolio of communication products and services and is a leader in convergent technologies, products and services for wireless, fixed and enterprise networks. The company's portfolio ranges from devices for end users to complex network infrastructures and complementary services for enterprises, carriers and service providers. Siemens Communications Inc. is headquartered in Boca Raton, Fla. For more information, visit www.usa.siemens.com/communications.

Note: Siemens, HiPath, OpenScape, IMS@vantage and SURPASS are registered trademarks of Siemens AG or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All other company, brand, product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens management. The words "anticipate,""believe,""estimate,""forecast,""expect,""intend,""plan,""should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Source: Business Wire

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