BroadSoft Delivers Multimedia Telephony as Operators Undergo IMS Network Transformation

BroadSoft Delivers Multimedia Telephony as Operators Undergo IMS Network Transformation


MMTel provides clear migration path toward all-IP network and improved user experiences through Rich Communications Services

GAITHERSBURG, MD — Multimedia Telephony (MMTel) will establish global standards for fixed, mobile and cable operators on the migration path to an all-IP network and the delivery of Rich Communications Services, according to BroadSoft Inc., a leading provider of VoIP application software. BroadSoft’s IMS BroadWorks® VoIP application platform is now MMTel compliant, and enables operators to realize immediate revenue streams by taking a service-led approach to network transformation.

As operators migrate service offerings away from Class 5 local exchange switches and toward IP Multimedia Subsystem core networks and application servers, BroadSoft’s MMTel solution allows operators to immediately deploy advanced voice and video services integrated with presence, messaging and contact solutions for the enterprise and residential markets. MMTel also lays the groundwork for the delivery of improved user experiences across all devices through Rich Communications Services.

Backed by industry standards bodies including ETSI and the 3GPP, MMTel is an end-to-end network solution that enables advanced multimedia services and content to be delivered over broadband networks. MMTel opens up the ability for carriers to more quickly deploy and deliver a complete set of personal and group services. MMTel defines standard provisioning interfaces for services to allow a carrier to deploy these services with minimal impact to back office systems or conflicts with vendor technology.

“The transformation away from legacy circuit-switched and to all-IP networks is neither an overnight task nor a reason to stop innovating with new services until some indeterminate point in the distant future,” said Scott Hoffpauir, Chief Technology Officer for BroadSoft®. “For service providers that want to generate new revenue streams today, MMTel is the way to go.”

MMTel supports voice and video calling between two or more users and also enables real-time bidirectional voice, video and other multimedia types of data. Instead of trying to replicate the existing circuit-switched features exactly, MMTel provides functionality equivalence by simulating the already well established circuit-switched services. Services delivered in compliance with MMTel will work with any media, including voice, video and even yet-to-be realized communication and messaging solutions.

Mobile operators across the globe are increasingly deploying High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and WiMAX networks, with the intention of delivering VoIP over these networks. Rich Communications will be the driver for the next step in fixed-mobile convergence (FMC), in that operators will be able to offer the same feature and user interfaces on a mobile device as those on a PC or a deskphone.

Rich Communications combines MMTel — voice and video calling with multimedia content sharing during the call — with enhanced contact capabilities such as presence and enhanced messaging such as instant messaging.

“The ultimate goal with Rich Communications is to deliver a simplified, unified and improved user experience regardless of the device being used,” said Hoffpauir. “In Rich Communications offerings by mobile and fixed carriers, BroadSoft will enable the advanced multimedia voice and video calling. Multimedia Telephony establishes a set of global standards for fixed, mobile and cable operators, and allows them to focus more on enhanced features instead of constantly tweaking their basic feature set.”

IMS is an end-to-end architectural framework, allowing advanced multimedia services and content to be delivered over broadband networks that use IP technology. IMS enables network operators and service providers to design, develop and deploy new revenue-generating multimedia services for their subscribers quickly and cost effectively. Examples of new service creation with IMS could include VoIP-Web 2.0 mash-ups that enhance popular business and consumer applications, such as CRM and social networking websites.