What is the status of IMS among tier 1 service providers today?
Before delving into this question, some background. Introducing new technology into tier 1 networks goes something like this: First, a vendor will demonstrate the product at its own site; second, the testing will move into the service providers lab; third, service trials are launched (usually by a service providers own employees); and finally the product is fully deployed in a revenue-producing mode. Now, the IMS optimist would claim that more than 50 percent of the tier 1s will have IMS deployed in 2007. The pessimist would counter this statement by saying yes, all tiers are looking at IMS, some are lab testing, and no one is doing a field trial as of yet. 2007 is basically the year for IMS tire kicking.
Before delving into this question, some background. Introducing new technology into tier 1 networks goes something like this: First, a vendor will demonstrate the product at its own site; second, the testing will move into the service provider’s lab; third, service trials are launched (usually by a service provider’s own employees); and finally the product is fully deployed in a revenue-producing mode. Now, the IMS optimist would claim that more than 50 percent of the tier 1s will have IMS deployed in 2007. The pessimist would counter this statement by saying yes, all tiers are looking at IMS, some are lab testing, and no one is doing a field trial as of yet. 2007 is basically the year for IMS tire kicking.
