NATICK, Mass.-The emergence of IP Multimedia Subsystems is creating an environment in which telecom vendors’ share and influence could experience revolutionary change, according to market research firm Venture Development Corp.
With original TDM networks, traditional infrastructure suppliers controlled the entire solution development and deployment chain, leaving little room for third-party applications, said VDC. These traditional players were forced to slim their organizations to cut operating expenses during the telecom downturn, which has created opportunities for different suppliers, said the firm. Systems vendors, integrators, component vendors and third-party applications developers all now play important roles in the development value chain, said VDC.
“Early adopters of IMS products will need to wade through a variety of business models as vendors explore their options,” said Chad Hart, director of VDC’s Datacom/Telecom practice. “Ultimately, this competition will be tumultuous to the IMS supply chain, creating tremendous opportunities for some stakeholders and leading to the demise of other groups. The results of this battle are to be determined.”
