Docomo gives IMS a needed boost

NTT Docomo has teamed up with five major network vendors to develop specifications for new value-added services delivered via IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology. Japan’s largest mobile operator worked with Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, Fujitsu, NEC and Nokia Siemens Networks on a demonstration test last month. The group claims that the successful deployment will pave the way for several new applications to be offered by operators already supporting IMS. Examples include converting a photographic image into a water painting on the network before delivering it to the receiver and converting a Japanese text message to English.

In a statement, the six companies noted that they are hoping the specifications will be adopted by the GSMA’s Rich Communication Suite (RCS) project, an initiative aiming to enable “the introduction of commercial IMS-based rich communication services over mobile and, eventually, fixed networks.” According to a Light Reading Asia report, a decision on whether the feature will be taken up by the RCS project will be made around the end of this month. The report adds that the move could give IMS a boost and make it more relevant to telecoms service providers after the technology suffered criticism surrounding its complexity.