TSSG Launch First Commercial Grade IMS test network hosted in Academia

Commercial-Grade open access IMS Test Network Available to Companies for Testing and Validating Next-Generation IMS Products and Services.
Waterford, Ireland – November 9th, 2009 – The Telecommunication Software & Systems Group (TSSG), the leading research and innovation centre focused on next-generation networks and services, announced that it is launching an international carrier-grade open access IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) test network, based on Ericsson equipment, that allows companies worldwide working on new mobile phone applications to test their products and services on a carrier-grade private mobile network.
The IMS network hosted at TSSG, enables technology providers worldwide to run tests, trial and validate IMS compliant products and functionality in a tested environment, which has the same capabilities as those used by large network operators. The IMS test network enables full testing of integrated Internet, mobile and television services and also consolidated and converged voice and data products and services.
“One of the biggest hurdles facing companies is persuading the big network operators to try their technology for fear that new products might crash networks,” said Gearóid Mooney, ICT Commercialisation Director, Enterprise Ireland. “Now, companies working on new mobile phone applications have a unique opportunity to test their products on a carrier-grade private mobile network before bringing them to market. The open test network based at TSSG will reduce the barriers to entry for any firm wishing to enter the lucrative IMS market.”
“The dramatic uptake of Internet services such as Skype and Facebook and the impact on how people communicate is fuelling research activity in IMS,” said Shane Dempsey, Test Centre Manager, TSSG. “IMS is the only standards based alternative for IP network evolution, creating new revenue opportunities by combining voice, video, content sharing, and presence while retaining the interoperability that made GSM so successful. TSSG is grateful for funding received from Enterprise Ireland and for the contribution by Ericsson to this project.”
Testing and validating Internet services requires extensive test infrastructure and considerable expertise to understand the demands of real-world deployments on services. These include scalability, resilience and the adaptability to infrastructural variations between operators. Locating the open IMS test network at the TSSG will act as a stimulus for both Irish-based and International telecoms companies to avail of this unique service and will also reduce the lead time in getting compliant new products to market.
The development of IMS technologies is one of the key research areas of the TSSG at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT), which is focusing on the adoption of new Internet protocols and technologies for telecommunications.
________________________________________________________________________________
About the TSSG
The TSSG conducts research which addresses the transformation of the Telecommunications industry, focusing on telecommunications network management and mobile services. The TSSG is at forefront of Communications Management for networks and services in Europe and is recognised as one of the top European Institutes (industry and academic) driving the specification of the “Future Internet”. Its key awards include: an SFI Strategic Research Cluster in communications management (FAME); an Enterprise Ireland Industry Led Research Programme on IMS (IMSArcs); HEA PRTLI project on the Future Internet (FutureComm); as well as key the European Framework Programme Future Internet programmes. Through strategic industry partnerships (including Ericsson, Cisco, Oracle, IBM and Alcatel-Bell) the TSSG is innovating its research outcomes into new products and services, and has worked with Enterprise Ireland to establish a cluster of mobile services companies in Waterford. www.tssg.org.
About Enterprise Ireland
Enterprise Ireland is the government agency responsible for the development and promotion of Ireland’s indigenous business sector, by accelerating the development of world-class Irish companies to achieve strong positions in global markets resulting in increased national and regional prosperity. Entreprise Ireland also provides assistance for international companies searching for world-class Irish suppliers. www.enterprise-ireland.com
For more information contact:
Shane Dempsey
Test Centre Manager
TSSG
Email: sdempsey@tssg.org
OR
Deirdre Morrissey
Marketing & Communications Manager
TSSG
Tel: + 353 51 302 909
Email: dmorrissey@tssg.org