Next Generation Network Services
Encyclopedia
Next-generation network services is a jargon term with no specific meaning. The term is used, in some telecommunication communities, in a loose way to refer to services that have not traditionally been provided by telecommunication operators circuit switched networks. Services include VoIP, IPTV
, presence-based applications, instant messaging
and location-based service
s. All of these example services are deployed and used on the Internet
or private IP networks and access is available to them from traditional circuit switched networks.
These forums generally host interoperability events in which multiple vendors show that services based on standards promoted by the forums can actually be deployed. They also publish specifications and interoperability agreements in parallel with standards bodies.
IPTV
Internet Protocol television is a system through which television services are delivered using the Internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network such as the Internet, instead of being delivered through traditional terrestrial, satellite signal, and cable television formats.IPTV services...
, presence-based applications, instant messaging
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
and location-based service
Location-based service
A Location-Based Service is an information or entertainment service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device....
s. All of these example services are deployed and used on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
or private IP networks and access is available to them from traditional circuit switched networks.
Standards bodies and industry support forums
Various industry forums have emerged to promote as well as standardize the evolving services of next generation networks. These new network services leverage a common IMS core for a horizontal signaling layer.- Alliance for Telecommunications Industry SolutionsAlliance for Telecommunications Industry SolutionsThe Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions is a standards organization that develops technical and operational standards for the telecommunication industry. ATIS is headquartered in Washington, D.C....
(ATIS) - IPTV Interoperability Forum (IIF)
- Multiservice ForumMultiservice Switching ForumThe Multiservice Switching Forum, MSF, also sometimes MultiService Forum, is a telecommunications industry association. MSF promotes interoperability in the field of Next Generation Networking products and services...
(MSF) - IMS/NGN Forum
- SIP ForumSIP ForumThe SIP Forum is a non-profit organization devoted to advancing the adoption of the Session Initiation Protocol , a signaling protocol for use in initiating, modifying, and terminating an interactive session among two or more users that involves multimedia elements such as voice, video, instant...
These forums generally host interoperability events in which multiple vendors show that services based on standards promoted by the forums can actually be deployed. They also publish specifications and interoperability agreements in parallel with standards bodies.
Interoperability events
- IMS Forum Plugfests
- SIP ForumSIP ForumThe SIP Forum is a non-profit organization devoted to advancing the adoption of the Session Initiation Protocol , a signaling protocol for use in initiating, modifying, and terminating an interactive session among two or more users that involves multimedia elements such as voice, video, instant...
's "SIPit" SIPSession Initiation ProtocolThe Session Initiation Protocol is an IETF-defined signaling protocol widely used for controlling communication sessions such as voice and video calls over Internet Protocol . The protocol can be used for creating, modifying and terminating two-party or multiparty sessions...
interoperability testing events - MultiService Forum's biennial Global MSF Interoperatbility (GMI)