Delivery Platforms (SDPs) are the means by which service providers can introduce fully-converged fixed/mobile consumer services, without waiting for network convergence to happen. SDPs can enable a whole new generation of value-added consumer services that will halt the decline of fixed-line revenues and establish a foundation for the adoption of IMS-based multimedia applications, reports In-Stat. Converged Voice Services (CVS) is the killer IMS application everyone has been looking for, the high-tech market research firm says.

"Consumers want convenience, simplicity, and value," says Keith Nissen, In-Stat analyst. "CVS allows consumers to decide which type of voice services (mobile-only, fixed-only, or integrated mobile/fixed) best fit their lifestyles."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• By 2011, 34% of US households may use only mobile services.
• By 2011, US incumbent operators will lose $13 billion in fixed-line voice revenue annually to wireless substitution.
• All the technology, including SDPs, middleware and applications, needed to support next-generation converged consumer voice services is available today.

The research, "SDP-Enabled Converged Voice Services: The IMS Killer App", examines the role of Service Delivery Platforms (SDPs) in today's telecom markets, and outlines operator deployment strategies. The market opportunity for converged consumer voice services is presented to support the conclusion that building demand for IP-based multimedia applications must start with services that appeal to the consumer mass market. Profiles of leading SDP vendors are included. For more information on this research or to purchase it online, please visit: http://email.in-stat.com/cgi-bin4/DM/y/eBB870M3aZa0K560FSDn0Ex