Push-to-Talk network of "Beeline": Testing the Open IMS solution in St. Petersburg

On the mobile operator VimpelCom (Beeline trade mark) in St. Petersburg held its first in the world testing and demonstration of the technology Push-To-Talk (PTT), based on an open decision IMS (OMA PoC) and the transfer voice via GPRS / EDGE. The system was developed by Ericsson in accordance with the standards of OMA (Open Mobile Alliance). According to Ericsson, the main advantage of services Push-to-Talk on the basis of an open IMS solution is compatible with similar systems of other operators and support to terminals (mobile phones) from various manufacturers.

GSM standard has become the first thanks to seamless roaming and secure performance of any terminal in any network. Except for the incompatibility of combinations bands 900/1800 and 850/1900, but this obstacle has already eliminated many of today's handsets. The issue of ensuring compatibility through a key not only for voice communication, a This fully applies to the messaging system. Today we are talking not only about the "good old" SMS, but also more modern services, in particular about the service Push-to-Talk. Ability to talk in short sentences (in the "portable radio") via the data - it's great, but count on the real popularity of services is possible only in case of full compatibility of systems and terminals.

No less important is efficiency services in roaming, because in this case because of Push-to-Talk with you we can save significant amounts, and international communication in this mode can not hurt. From the standpoint of investment protection of the operator, the standardized IMS platform also looks attractive as it is the same solution can be used in mobile networks and third generation, and to implement a variety of additional services. Quote from the press release Eriksson:

The main advantage of the services of Push-to-Talk solutions based on Open IMS, developed by Ericsson in accordance with the standards of OMA (Open Mobile Alliance), is its complete compatibility with similar systems of other operators, allowing subscribers on different networks using one service, provides an opportunity the use of PTT in roaming mode. Also, an important advantage is the compatibility of user equipment (telephone) produced by different manufacturers. Transmission of voice traffic will be via GPRS / EDGE (network 2.5G). The PTT provides subscribers the opportunity to use mobile phones as walkie-talkies.

IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) - the decision to implement services based on IP, which is an amalgamation of classical telecommunication technologies with the latest Internet technologies. It allows you to develop and provide subscribers with personalized services based on different combinations of voice, text, graphics and video (push-to-talk, chat on your mobile phone, email, games and much more). In this case, due to a universal architecture based on industry standards and supported by leading manufacturers, the same IMS-platform can be used for applications and services in 2.5G networks and 3G, as well as in fixed networks.

Naturally, we were intrigued by the very obliging the phrase "the world's first testing and demonstration."Further clarification Ericsson: "PTT on Ericsson's IMS differs in that the decision IMS OMA (PoC) is an open question. This means compatibility with all other platforms in the use of PTT from other manufacturers as well as it can operate the terminals of subscribers from other manufacturers. That's why we wrote that we were the first in the world have tested and demonstrated service to the network 2.5G, which is absolutely true. We ran PTT to IMS in many European countries, Africa, America - more than 50 systems in test operation. But it was also common platform IMS. And now it's open - compatible.

For the end user concept of "interoperability" in this case would mean supporting terminals from any vendor and technical ability to communicate PTT-messages with subscribers of other networks and operators. Institutional barriers still remain (as in the case of an exchange of MMS-messages between subscribers of different network operators), but it is a matter of time and goodwill Sotovik.

Say that subscribers of Beeline is about to be able to share PTT-messages with subscribers of MegaFon's not necessary yet. In addition to technical barriers exist, and administrative barriers. As we have explained in the Beeline, PTT in Russia has not yet been certified and speak of full commercial operation is not necessary yet. On the technical side issue, the Beeline network in St. Petersburg is fully prepared to launch services to PTT. In the Moscow region will require a slight revision of network equipment, but no serious technical obstacles are foreseen.

The question of charging the PTT network Beeline final there is no clarity. While expected to charging by volume consumed GPRS (EDGE) traffic, at a price Internet-GPRS or Wap-GPRS - unknown.