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Trials in Action

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) allows the integration and combination of multiple services into the Mobile Network Operator's (MNO's) environment. It is a key component supporting the delivery of new 3G services to users.

Sample SIP based applications are:

• Voice over IP
• Instant Messaging
• Gaming
• Video Share
• OMA Push to Talk over Cellular (POC)

The GSM Association has led a series of trials of SIP services. The trials have focused on using the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and an IP eXchange (IPX) proxy to allow MNOs, vendors and GRX carriers to trial SIP based services.

The SIP Trial Guide

A guide to the GSMA's SIP Trials has been produced to give interested parties an insight into the background to the trials; the significance of SIP, IMS and the IPX (IP eXchange) principle. It also gives an overview of the outcomes of the various trial campaigns undertaken by European and Asian operators and carriers. The SIP Trial Guide should also be helpful in identifying some of the requirements operators, carriers, service providers and vendors need to consider in order to deliver a full IP service based portfolio to their customers.

View the GSMA SIP Trial Guide.

The benefits of the trials

Running a comprehensive series of trials for a large number of operators, vendors and carriers delivers many benefits to all interested parties.

SIP Service interworking is enhanced
There is huge interest in the capabilities of SIP and IMS to deliver new services, however the challenge with these new services is to deliver interworking and interoperability from day one. A consumer should be assured that the service they use interworks with their friend's service wherever they are. Through the trials the participants get on the learning curve and can begin addressing these challenges before the full commercial launch of these services.

Combining Services
Imaginative services can be created in combination to give customers the complete package. An example of this for example is Video Share which combines an ordinary mobile call with the ability to share video. The SIP Trial will explore further combinations of such services in the future.

Faster operational deployment
The commercial deployment of services will be accelerated thanks to the insight and experience gained through the trials. Operators, infrastructure and terminal vendors as well as carriers will have a 'head-start' in terms of developing their commercial service operations. For users, the increased assurance of proven service interoperability is crucial to a rapid take-up of the service offering.

Management of services is easier
SIP is an open protocol that will easily be integrated into System Management tools. This tighter integration into the 3G environment means that the services are more transparent. Information from the trials assists the understanding of the protocol.

SIP Trial Goals

The ultimate goal is to ensure technical and commercial interoperability of SIP-based services, from day one of a commercial service. As well as demonstrating interoperability of SIP-based services across networks and platforms, they are an opportunity to demonstrate & trial candidate services and applications.

For the MNO's and carriers, the trials enable them to gain practical experience of the deployment of SIP-based services across network and platform boundaries and to verify that accounting information can be captured at the IPX carrier. Indirectly, the trials also help to raise the awareness of the level of maturity & availability of SIP-based products.

SIP Trial Campaigns

Several SIP Trial campaigns have already been concluded. Initial trials in Europe and Asia focused on basic IMS interoperability and also the hubbing model. In addition campaigns have focused on billing & accounting and performance measurements. The SIP Trial has recently begun to focus on new SIP/IMS services such as Video Share and OMA Push to Talk Over Cellular (POC) and will explore new services in the future.

Participants
Global participation has grown as the series of trials has progressed. Participants represent companies from Asia, Europe and North America.

For more information on the SIP trials, contact the Project Manager, Mark Hogan on mhogan@gsm.org.