How to Effectively Transition to VoIP and IMS - Big Bang or Phased Approach?

In order to bolster faltering revenue streams and fend off competition from both their traditional rivals and new entrants into the marketplace, service providers are investigating transitioning their existing infrastructure to a next generation network capable of offering converged services. One of the most viable evolutionary options is to transform their network using an IP Multimedia System (IMS). This paper describes the key drivers motivating service providers to migrate to IPbased networks as well as the most effective first steps, including the network topologies involved in the transformation. A number of design and implementation issues can have a major impact on the transition as the service provider prepares its network as a platform on which to build IMS-based services and grow revenues.