JCP's Java Micro-Edition has approved the specification request submitted by Ericsson and Siemens Mobile Handsets (today BenQ Mobile). The Java Specification Request (JSR-281, IMS Services API) will define a high-level Java Application Programming Interface (API) that will offer service-level support to enable easy development of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) applications.

IMS offers standardized person-to-person multimedia services such as Push-to-Talk and combinational services, which combine, for example, Instant Messaging or video with voice. IMS also makes a framework for innovation and application creation easily available to the application- developer community through this newly defined API.

The JSR-281 will consist of at least three types of functionality: high-level IMS core functionality, Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) services, and Group List Management services. The JSR-281 will enable rapid and innovative development for IMS clients, who can utilize the IMS services in their networks. Mass-market deployment of IMS services will benefit from IMS interoperability between handsets and networks.

Jörgen Lantto, Vice President, Strategic Product Management, Ericsson Mobile Platforms, says: "Making IMS capabilities available for the Java developers will allow the wide community of Java application developers to rapidly bring interactive multimedia services to the consumers. We expect that this will speed up the commercial launch of IMS by mobile operators and terminal vendors."

 

Mr. Clemens Joos, CEO of BenQ Mobile, says: "Opening Java for IMS services will enable operators and application developers to easily create and deploy new IMS-based services for a huge base of mobile terminals. This will leverage interoperability and distribution of IP-based multimedia applications and customers will gain from new attractive services."

 

Ericsson Media Relations

Phone: +46 8 719 69 92

E-mail: press.relations@ericsson.com

 

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) standard defines a generic architecture for offering voice and multimedia services over IP networks. It is an internationally recognized standard that has been specified in 3GPP and 3GPP2 and later embraced by other standards bodies such as ETSI-TISPAN, OMA and now by JCP.

 

Ericsson is the leader in the IMS area with 28 contracts distributed over the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa. Ericsson IMS can already provide fixed, mobile and enterprise users with a range of new services such as Push-to-Talk, combinational services, IP telephony and IP Centrex. Additional IMS services will continuously be developed - by Ericsson and other companies - making Ericsson IMS a future-proof and cost-effective selection for operators. Ericsson IMS offers services over packet-based networks and is a cornerstone for an efficient IP-centric network environment. It complies with the 3GPP/3GPP2 IMS standard. Standards are critical for user adoption as they allow access to services that function seamlessly over networks provided by different suppliers. Ericsson Mobile Platforms provides a multi-vendor advantage to the Ericsson proposition of including an IMS client, with superior performance and interoperability, as an integral part of the platform offering.

BenQ Mobile is an industry leader in wireless communication devices with a high lifestyle appeal. Headquartered in Munich (Germany), the company is one of three business divisions of BenQ Corporation and a trademark licensee of Siemens AG. With revenues of more than EUR 5.6 billion in 2004*, more than 7000 employees worldwide, state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facilities in Aalborg (Denmark), Beijing, Suzhou (China), Kamp-Lintfort, Munich, Ulm (Germany), Manaus (Brazil), Mexicali (Mexico), Taipei (Taiwan), and Wroclaw (Poland), and a strong sales, marketing and service network, BenQ Mobile benefits from its global footprint. BenQ Mobile will leverage complementary competencies and resources in product creation, developing elegant yet exciting devices that enable consumers to further explore mobility.

*combined revenues of BenQ Mobile Phones and Siemens Mobile Devices in 2004