Multimedia services interoperability in next-generation networks for the residential environment

This article presents an open and functional architecture based on a next-generation network solution in order to seize its converged nature to guarantee interoperability among different platforms and terminals. The defined architecture is an integrated solution for end-to-end communication of various IP multimedia subsystem platforms marketed by different vendors, belonging to several operators located in different countries across Europe and supporting multiple terminals and technologies in order to experiment with a new broadband telephony service for the residential environment. This work addresses, in particular, the interoperability problems of name resolution and implementation of the session initiation protocol interface at the terminal as a key use in such a scenario. Also, several advanced services are developed and tested within the proposed architecture as a proof of concept of the IMS capability for quick service creation and deployment. The architecture proposed contributes to the reduction of obstacles and barriers among the European countries in order to adopt NGN architectures, allowing a new type of communication that is more complete and flexible.