Juniper, NEC partner for IMS/FMC in Asia

Juniper Networks Inc. announced it is partnering with NEC Corp. to merge the worlds of mobile and Internet networking via joint Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystems-based Fixed-Mobile Convergence products.
Juniper and NEC said their IMS/FMC solutions pave the way for both wireless and fixed operators to shift to networks that feature an all-IP backbone, capable of delivering data, video and voice to either fixed or wireless users.
Juniper’s Chandra Tekwani explained, “FMC is a mechanism that lets carriers offer applications to subscribers without putting new infrastructure in place for each new service. [Average revenue per user] rates are falling, and new revenue-producing services are expensive to deploy in traditional networks. Service providers are looking to FMC because the technology will allow them to deploy new services inexpensively.”
Tekwani stressed that Juniper’s collaboration with NEC will yield IMS/FMC systems that are intelligent, secure and open.
Though wireless coverage via IP networks is still years away at best, Tekwani said, “At the end of the day, whether they are operating fixed or mobile networks based on GSM, CDMA, Wi-Fi or WiMAX technology, service providers need an IP-based network if they want to offer converged services.”
Juniper’s area of expertise lies in the IP transport plane, while NEC’s is in the service and applications arena. The companies said the control plane that they’re developing will link the two levels. NEC will offer customers Juniper’s routers and SDX-300 platform, along with its ISG Firewall equipment. A SIP media router will be available sometime next year.
Juniper said target markets for the IMS/FMC products are fixed and wireless carriers in Asia.