I've been a tad slow on the uptake with this, but Sunday evening's pretty quiet and a good chance to catch up.

Some time ago I spoke with the folks ar BridgePort Networks  who are one of the driving forces behind the MobileIGNITE initiative. BridgePort's been quiet lately, but I sense some rumblings indicating that's going to change soon. I know they been doing some good things quietly behind the scenes.

Here's a press release from MobileIGNITE that warrants real attention:

MobileIGNITE ANNOUNCES Release V1.0 of functional specification for fixed mobile
convergence handover
 
Chicago, ILLINOIS and Brussels, BELGIUM – September 25, 2006 – Today MobileIGNITE, the leading industry association fostering collaboration to accelerate fixed-mobile convergence (FMC) through interoperability, announced the release of V1.0 of its Functional Specification for FMC Handover.  

Developed by the Handover Interoperability Group of MobileIGNITE, the Functional Specification will allow an FMC Service Provider to specify Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based technology from vendors that allows a user with a dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi mobile phone to be able to connect via both Wi-Fi (fixed) and GSM/UMTS (mobile) access networks. The user will receive the same voice services using a single phone number as the user crosses networks – including the seamless continuity of an in-process voice call.

The Functional Specification covers implementation of FMC Handover on current GSM Networks that conform to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 99 and Release 4 reference architectures, as well as IMS reference architectures that conform to 3GPP’s Release 5, 6 and the upcoming Release 7.   By specifying these guidelines to their vendors, FMC Service Providers can deploy FMC Handover in the short term on their current networks, and be assured of continued multi-vendor interoperability between handsets and network elements during the transition to IMS.  

3GPP is in advanced stages of completing the Voice Call Continuity (VCC) standard, which defines FMC Handover in a strict IMS network conforming to the to-be-released 3GPP Release 7 reference architecture.   MobileIGNITE’s Functional Specification is fully consistent with and references the draft 3GPP VCC specification* - and provides a level of detail necessary to progress to the protocol implementation agreements and test cases necessary for formal interoperability certification.

MobileIGNITE enjoys Market Representation Partner status with 3GPP – and has the formal mandate to provide expert consensus market requirements on FMC application interoperability to 3GPP.

A key goal of the Functional Specification was to ensure that dual mode cellular/Wi-Fi handsets that perform handover on current networks will not need to be modified or replaced when the network evolves to IMS, and becomes compliant with the VCC standard – and can continue to operate with no impact to the user.   This removes the risk for handset manufacturers and service providers to deploy SIP based handover capable dual mode handsets for use on current networks and accelerates the market for FMC Handover services.

“The v1.0 release specifies a Phase 1 deployment solution for 2007 market deployment based on today’s commercially available network equipment and dual mode terminals - which will continue to function properly to support FMC services throughout network upgrades and evolution to full IMS Release 7 functionality - at a market pace,” said Leo Nikkari, Executive Director of MobileIGNITE. “Service providers can now address time-to-market urgencies for SIP FMC services without the risk of terminal obsolescence or undesired upgrades or change out of user equipment.”
 
The document can be downloaded from the MobileIGNITE web site at http://www.mobileignite.org/documents/MobileIGNITE_Handover_FS_v1.0.doc

 
Current MobileIGNITE members: 724 Solutions, Accuris, Acme Packets, Apertio, Aruba Networks, BCT Global, Blueslice Networks, Boingo Wireless, BridgePort Networks, BroadSoft, Centile, Colubris Networks, Comfone, CommuniGate Systems, Convergin, CoreMobility, CounterPath, E28 Limited, F1 Interop Solutions, FG Microtec, FirstHand Technologies, Glenayre Messaging, HelloSoft, Iristel, Kyocera Wireless, Meru Networks, Net2Phone, Netrake, NewHeights Software, Oberthur, Openwave, Pandora Networks, Paragon Wireless, PCTEL, QualPhone, Reef Point Systems, sentitO, Sonim, Sylantro, Tekelec, tekVizion, TapRoot, VK Corporation, VeriSign, Vivox, and WorldCell.
 
About MobileIGNITE
MobileIGNITE is an independent industry association of leading service providers and vendors that collaborate on accelerating the time to market for multi-vendor fixed-mobile convergence solutions that work in existing fixed and mobile networks with a smooth transition to the IP Multimedia System (IMS) environment. Key initiatives include interoperability best practices, market requirements development and liaison with industry standards organizations and other industry groups. Further information and application procedures may be found at www.mobileignite.org
 
* Reference 3GPP VCC documents TR 23.806, TS 23.206 and TS 24.206

When I look at the roster of MobileIGNITE members, I see a roll call of companies I've talked to in the past, will be talking to in the next two weeks, or have friends and colleagues as employees.

When I look at the announcement, I see STANDARDS. Ok, they aren't standards today, they're functional specs. Still, functional specs for handoff of FMC traffic is a huge announcement. This is BIG news. I've written two books on VoIP technologies, and frankly, VoIP is old news. It's not a sustaining technology, but it's rapidly becoming passe, even boring in some regards.

Unified communications, the real convergence of technologies, after ten years waiting in the wings, is very hot stuff. And fixed mobile convergence is one of the two largest factors in real unified communications. In my view, unified communications needs three critical pieces to leap into high gear:

• Video, which we've all seen consume more of our attention lately, is a big piece. Not just IPTV, but video collaboration.
• Mobility is one of the biggest drivers on the planet today. We want what we want everywhere we are all the time. Always on, ubiquitous connectivity to voice and data service...broadband, please. FMC moves VoIP from a tethered anchor to a ubiquitous solution.
• Application integration, probably driven by Services Oriented Architecture (SOA) is the lynchpin for broad deployment and explosive growth in unified communications.
  

Integration with web and enterprise apps will only explode with ubiquity, driven by FMC. Mobility, wireless broadband in universal supply, and that SOA integration will spur video collaboration tools, while pure deman will fuel the growth in IPTV, TVOIP and other video broadcast replacements.


Technorati Tags: unified communications, MobileIGNITE, fixed mobile convergence