PCTEL is readying the beta release of a “presence” capability said to support any IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) client application. PCTEL's IMS Presence Engine (PE) supports diverse applications such as POC (push-to-talk over cellular), file sharing, VoIP, LBS (location-based services), and messaging services, and a published API, according to the company.

IMS PE builds on two existing PCTEL products (Roaming Client and the VoIP-Enabled Roaming Client), which implement functions such as basic connectivity, universal authentication, and seamless roaming across WiFi and Cellular networks, the company says.

PCTEL suggests that “presence” is fundamental to the success of IMS, since it lets the network identify services that are being used by a wireless subscriber and determine their service preferences, status, and mobile device type. The company cites ABI Research data forecasting IMS to become a $16 billion service and application market over the next five years.

The company says that IMS PE differs from typical application-specific presence modules, which are embedded directly within applications. In contrast, IMS PE sits between the SIP stack and client applications. This, the company claims, enables it to work with any IMPS-compatible service delivery platform, and with any IMS application that is compatible with the company's IMS Framework API.

IMS PE is part of PCTEL's overall IMS Framework. The Framework encompasses connection management, a SIP (session initiation protocol) stack, and IMS authentication components, among other functions, and is used within PCTEL's own communications applications as well as licensed by third-party application developers.

PCTEL CEO Marty Singer stated, “We were first to market with an IMS-based VoIP solution for the industry and we are excited that we have been able to develop a commercial grade Presence Engine for the IMS client application market. We believe that our IMS PE will accelerate the delivery of exciting IMS applications and will play an important role in how mobile consumers request and receive services.”

Availability

IMS PE is scheduled for beta release on Dec. 3 to a “controlled group of customers,” and is expected to be generally available by Feb. 1, 2007, according to PCTEL. The software will be showcased at the 2007 3GSM World Congress Exhibit and Conference in Barcelona.

IMS PE, like PCTEL's other IMS products, will support multiple mobile operating system platforms, including Linux, Symbian, Brew/REX, and Windows Mobile. It will be licensed as part of an SDK (software development kit) intended for device manufacturers, wireless carriers, infrastructure providers, and IMS application developers, PCTEL says.

 
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