NetFront™ IMS Client Package

A Comprehensive Solution for Multimedia Communication over IP Networks

Carriers throughout the world are shifting their infrastructures to IP-based Next Generation Networks (NGN) built on IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) and MMD (Multimedia Domain). These new networks, while holding great promise for delivering seamless multimedia communication and entertainment services to businesses and consumers, also pose new challenges. Principal among the challenges is the creation of the applications that will provide new services. NetFront™ IMS Client Package meets this challenge by providing a comprehensive software solution that enables carriers and developers to efficiently create and deploy multimedia applications and services over the new generation of IP-based networks.

NetFront IMS Client Package

A Comprehensive Solution for Multimedia Communication over IP Networks
IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) and NGN (Next Generation Network) forms the technological foundation for future carrier networks, so it is imperative that these technologies be used effectively to create better solutions for businesses and consumers. NetFront IMS Client Package deployed on a secure network and utilizing the services provided by NGN enables the creation of applications that can enrich people's lives both at work and at play. Implementing NetFront IMS Client Package as a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) client enables seamless multimedia communication and entertainment opportunities linking people, products, and services even with networks that are not IMS compliant like home networks, company networks, and the Internet.

The Advantage | NetFront IMS Client Package

Use in IPTV Services
The Open IPTV Forum has announced the implementation of IPTV on IMS and will publish the specifications based on the IMS and DLNA standard specifications at the end of 2007. By incorporating ACCESS technologies like NetFront™ Browser, NetFront™ Living Connect and NetFront™ Media Player with IPTV as shown in the figure on the right, end-users can access and enjoy content via IMS and DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) while using a familiar Web UI. Having both local and network content easily accessible via a Web UI means that end-users can spend their time enjoying content and not searching for content.

Use as a Multi-Communication Tool
Since IMS/MMD has gained traction as a service infrastructure for mobile communication, the OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) has begun standardization efforts for the communication services that will be deployed on this infrastructure. The integration of various communications standards around presence means that multi-communication applications can be offered.

Unique Combination | NetFront IMS Client Package

Web + IMS
ACCESS has created a new technology concept called "Web + X". Web + X is a broad concept designed to deliver greater efficiency and innovation for enhanced Web services. Web + IMS is one example of Web + X and perhaps the most obvious to ACCESS’ customers and partners. Web + IMS has two premises. The first premise holds that a Web browser is able to receive messages from connected networks that support IMS UA (User Agent) without pulling data from servers. (This component benefits from rapid IMS application development.) The second premise holds that service providers can develop applications running on IMS, such as VoIP, IM, PoC, Presence, video sharing, SIP Push, etc., for terminal devices using web technologies like HTML, JavaScript™, CSS, XML, etc., exclusively. ACCESS believes that Web + IMS will significantly help customers and partners to achieve their business goals.

Merit

Using a browser and widgets

• Users are accustomed to using browsers on mobile devices.
• Widget remains on display (IDLE screen) as a running application. Very suitable for services requiring "ALWAYS ON" mode
• Enough HTML and JavaScript to develop simple applications

• HTTP has to poll data from the network, on the other hand, SIP will get data automatically pushed from the network thanks to support for established sessions
• Three clear advantages:
  - Reduced power consumption
  - Reduced network traffic
  - Faster overall
  

What is NGN? | What is the Next-Generation Network?

The following text briefly describes the reasons for creating and the importance of NGN and IMS. [Why did NGN appear?] NGN is a future network currently being discussed globally. Carriers all over the world have already started building NGN. Standardization is being promoted by the TISPAN project led by ITU-T and the European standardization organization ETSI. But why has NGN appeared? The Internet has two significant problems. One is security including spam and cyberterrorism. The other is the drop in communication quality when bandwidth is insufficient for a desired service. Meanwhile, carriers are faced with a shrinking fixed line telephone market due to the growth of the cellular phone market. Correspondingly, cellular phone markets in developed countries are near saturation. To help resolve these various issues, carriers are creating a network that can provide all fixed-line, cellular, data, and broadcast services and shifting to a business model that charges for the use of functions and services instead of for communication lines. Carriers are deploying NGN in an effort to solve not only the problem of Internet security and communication quality, they also expect to be able to reinvent and expand their business model by building an open I/F that facilitates network use by other parties. [Mechanism of NGN] A mechanism is required in order to implement NGN, for example, the function to manage communication sessions. IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) provides this function. NGN is roughly divided into two parts in its structure: the service stratum (the layer that controls services), and the transport stratum (the layer that transmits services and data from the transmission source to its destination). IMS is used for the implementation of the service stratum that manages communication sessions, which is especially crucial for using services. Therefore, in order to connect with NGN, a terminal that can connect with IMS and establish sessions is required. This is the basic function that NetFront IMS Client Package provides for terminals.

Module Diagram | NetFront IMS Client Package

Target Range of NetFront IMS Client Package
Standards organizations, such as 3GPP, 3GPP2, and OMA, define the specifications for implementing services on IMS. ACCESS has developed an API for each service and can provide these APIs. Low-level APIs can also be published to implement proprietary functions and services on IMS. Furthermore, through the accumulation of this information, ACCESS can assist with development, from applications to UIs.

Advanced Module Structure
Consumers are not interested in technologies, but they are interested in services. ACCESS believes that technologies must be transparent to consumers so that services can be more accessible. A wide variety of individual services can function over IP, but new value can be achieved by integrating these individual services. As a service enabler, ACCESS provides comprehensive, modular applications that deliver advanced new services and value on IMS.

Option | NetFront IMS Client Package

Embedded Web 2.0: The Concept
Embedded Web 2.0 supports the delivery of services via a Web UI. The application of this concept (services via Web UI) to NetFront IMS Client Package means that IMS applications can be developed with HTML and JavaScript, an approach that significantly reduces development costs. Additionally, with Embedded Web 2.0, primary content can be displayed with HTTP, while other controls (charging, quality, etc.) can be managed in the background with SIP. In addition, content presented via a Web UI can be updated dynamically with SIP Push.

NGN Software Suite: The Concept
NGN Software Suite enables IMS/SIP sessions (the basis for NGN). Various applications like Sync, Web browser and e-mail can be used in combination to enhance and provide services. ACCESS is focused on providing a collection of technologies that enable advanced NGN end-user services as well as for the device groups that can improve these services via communication between devices.

Powerful Integration with NetFront Media Player
A separate product, NetFront Media Player, enables multimedia communication, playback, and recording. It supports the implementation of powerful multimedia communication using IMS/SIP sessions in cooperation with NetFront IMS Client Package.

Developed by OKI ACCESS Technologies Co., Ltd.
OKI ACCESS was established in November 2005 as a joint company between Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd, and ACCESS Co., Ltd.
OKI ACCESS is focused on developing voice and video media package products for next-generation mobile terminals.