Is the traditional IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) fitting into 5G Network?
Traditional IMS in 5G World
IMS and 5G Network (Click to enlarge)
All these years, IMS has been predominantly used for delivering Voice & Video-based multimedia services over IP networks like VoLTE, VoWiFi, RCS, etc. As IMS is access-independent, it can connect to the 5G core as well (via UPF node) for delivering services like Voice over 5G (Vo5G) and even allow roaming features over 5G/LTE networks.
However, with the very specific requirements like support for Cloud-native applications, Virtualized nodes, RESTful APIs, Microservices, Network slicing & so on for the 5G network, traditional IMS nodes need to be virtualized & cloud-ready in order to be integrated into the 5G networks.
fig. IMS in a Telecom Network (Click to enlarge)
In its current traditional on-premises form, IMS nodes require longer deployment cycles and are relatively non-flexible when it comes to deploying different multimedia services. Also, it uses protocols like SIP & Diameter to communicate within IMS nodes and EPC.
fig. IMS in a 4G Network (Click to enlarge)
This would not be the case with the 5G network which is based on RESTful APIs and discourages dealing with multiple protocols. With SDN/NFV & Cloud-based deployments, 5G nodes can be developed, deployed, managed, integrated, and auto-scaled like Software and Containers; which is not the case with traditional IMS framework.
5G supports a plethora of services around Things, Consumers & Enterprises and relies on SBA, Edge Computing, and Network Slicing to manage the required resources, low latency & high throughput for treating different use cases & segments.
4G Operators who have already upgraded their Core network to Virtualized EPC & IMS nodes over the Cloud and adopted the CUPS feature for separating User & Control planes are in a much more comfortable & cost-efficient position to move towards 5G deployments. They can leverage their existing Cloud-based & fully virtualized networks to implement a 5G network integrated with IMS along with the specific features as mentioned in the article (SBA, Network slicing, Edge Computing, etc.) for enabling FWA, eMBB, URLLC & mMTC use-cases.
Understanding how traditional systems like IMS evolve to work with 5G is critical for network architects. My book "The 5G Core: Architecture and Functions Explained" covers the integration of 5G Core with existing infrastructure, including IMS interworking, roaming, and service continuity.
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Glossary
IMS: IP Multimedia Subsystem
LTE: Long Term Evolution
EPC: Evolved Packet Core
SIP: Session Initiation Protocol
VoLTE: Voice over LTE
VoWiFi: Voice over WiFi
RCS: Rich Communication Services
UPF: User Plane Function
SBA: Service Based Architecture
CUPS: Control & User Plane Separation
FWA: Fixed Wireless Access
eMBB: enhanced Mobile Broadband
URLLC: Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications
mMTC: massive Machine Type Communications
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IMS is best with 4G network...5G is useless for voice. Except Voice, other IMS use cases are far from reality, no value addition for end user. Who use operator provided Video call in today's world.
ReplyDeleteNice Article. IMO..IMS is best with 4G network...5G is useless for voice. Except Voice, other IMS use cases are far from reality, no value addition for end user. Who use operator provided Video call in today's world.
ReplyDelete