Towards Future 4G Mobile Networks: A Real-World IMS Testbed

In the near future, current mobile communication networks will converge towards an All-IP network inorder to provide richer applications, stronger customer satisfaction, andfurther return on investment forthe industry. However, such a convergence induces a strong level of complexity when handlinginteroperability between different operators and different handset vendors. In this context, the 3GPPconsortium is working on the standardization of the convergence, and IMS is emerging as theinternationally agreed upon standard that is multi-operator and multi-vendor. In this paper, we shedfurther light on the subtleties of IMS, and we delineate a blueprint for the implementation of a real-worldIMS testbed. An open source Presence Server is deployed as well. The operation of the IMS testbed and thePresence Server are checked to assess their conformance with 3GPP standards. A simple third partyapplication is developed on top the IMS testbed to further assess its operation