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High Leverage Network Feature Editorial
Captivate Customers with Intuitive and Compelling Rich Communications
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
In the communications world, the push for innovation and new developments is always at the forefront. The development of rich communications is a key differentiator for service providers seeking to capitalize on current opportunities and generate new revenue streams. When conversations can combine voice, messaging and multimedia across multiple channels, customers can be instantly captivated.
A recent Alcatel-Lucent (News
- Alert) white paper titled, Why IMS? – The Criticality of IMS in IP Communications, explores the current environment and extended opportunities. The main focus is the reality that application and content providers (ACPs) are rapidly changing the way people communicate as they leverage fixed and mobile broadband access through service providers to deliver innovative applications. The challenge, however, is that the offerings have a number of limitations, which creates an opportunity for service providers to capitalize on the advantages that are inherent in their networks. These advantages are unavailable to ACPs unless they focus on collaboration with telecom service providers. IMS has proven to be a powerful vehicle that can enable service providers to simplify the end-user experience to deliver rich multimedia communications.
IMS enables partnering with ACPs to ensure further innovative services are provided. The primary focus within these partnerships is the combination of standards when it comes to interoperability, QoS and value-added features. All of these things must be combined with Application Enablement in order to drive differentiation and new revenues so that telecom services providers do not have to face a future that only offers bitpipe opportunity.
When service providers make the transition to IMS as a part of the High Leverage Network, they have the opportunity to drive new conversations across fixed, mobile and web. This approach creates compelling services on fixed-mobile platforms for both consumers and enterprises. Conversations are enlivened with video and messaging, while interactive multi-screen services are also offered. Open innovation is fueled and IMS APIs are securely exposed to application developers. In working with Alcatel-Lucent, service providers can make the transition quickly, smoothly and economically.
Both at home and at work, multimedia and social media conversations play a significant role. The challenge, however, is that these conversations are fragmented due to separate networks, devices, contact lists and applications. With the High Leverage Network in place, Alcatel-Lucent IMS solutions enable service providers to address these challenges as they reinvent rich communications, inspiring conversations that are both new and more engaging. As a result of these new conversations, consumers and enterprise customers are not only captive, their loyalty increases and the service provider gains a competitive edge.
While service providers are focused on expanding their business and their relationships, the network must be able to keep pace. This requires that the network support the demands of today and the goals of tomorrow. Alcatel-Lucent’s IMS network offers service providers the solid base necessary to grow and innovate. The company’s services are also agile so as to foster innovative IMS application development; scalable so as to support more apps, customers and services; and secure so as to protect assets while reassuring consumers and enterprise customers.
Essentially, service providers are selecting Alcatel-Lucent IMS solutions with confidence simply because these pre-integrated solutions are fully validated and tested for interoperability; they allow for the creation of innovative new communication services; and because Alcatel-Lucent is a trustworthy and reliable major partner.
Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO West 2011, taking place Sept. 13-15, 2011, in Austin, Texas. ITEXPO (News - Alert) offers an educational program to help corporate decision makers select the right IP-based voice, video, fax and unified communications solutions to improve their operations. It's also where service providers learn how to profitably roll out the services their subscribers are clamoring for – and where resellers can learn about new growth opportunities. To register, click here.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by John Lahtinen
