Service delivery platform options for next generation networks, approved within the national German 3G beyond testbed

The notion of next generation networks (NGN) is based on the convergence of fixed and mobile telecommunication networks and the internet towards an all-IP environment. These NGNs support the provision of integrated information and communication services in face of increasingly becoming more complex value chains, enabled by so-called service delivery platforms (SDPs). Therefore an NGN is an environment of high complexity, in which different actors, such as fixed and mobile network operators, service providers, system integrators and an open set of application providers have to co-operate for the provision of advanced converged services. A converged service is the integration of voice, multimedia, web content and Web Services provided seamlessly over all kinds of access technology. This paper introduces the national German 3G Beyond Testbed @ FOKUS as an open technology integration playground for operators, vendors and most particularly application developers. An overview and comparison of the key service delivery platforms within the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is given. FOKUS established the Playground concept for all the stake holders. The Open IMS Playground consists of a variety of SIP application servers based on different programming paradigms, OSA/Parlay gateways and infrastructure components like Call Session Control Functions and Home Subscriber Servers. A guideline to the usage of these SDPs for the provision of innovative NGN services is illustrated.