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IMTC Tests Interoperability of Technology to Deliver Multimedia Content over Wireless Networks
IMTC Activity Group invites companies to participate in three-phased interoperability tests
SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--February 7, 2002-- The International Multimedia Telecommunications Consortium (IMTC) Packet Switched Streaming (PSS) Activity Group (AG) is currently conducting the first two phases of a three-phased interoperability test of technology, based on the 3GPP Technical Specifications 26.233 and 26.234, for delivering/streaming multimedia content over wireless networks. Seven companies from around the world are already participating in the tests that include offline, virtual and face-to-face phases. Members of the IMTC PSS AG develop streaming servers, content distribution servers, content creations tools and multimedia terminals and they are working together to achieve broad support for standards, as well as maximum interoperability for their products, in the rich media wireless market.

Participating vendors are: Emblaze Systems (Israel), Mobixell Networks (Israel), Motorola (USA), PacketVideo (USA), Philips (Netherlands), Serome Technology (Korea) and Siemens (Germany).

According to Adi Plaut, Chair of the IMTC PSS AG, ``Our testing provides many advantages. While one single manufacturer cannot effectively check interoperability by itself, conducting trials with a group of vendors reveals much about a component's ability to interoperate. Also, the PSS tests serve as validation tests for the 3GPP's technical specifications. This will assist in the implementation, deployment and promotion of interoperable mobile multimedia solutions. Testing for interoperability also contributes to the industry's understanding of the standards for wireless, rich media streaming.''

The tests are being performed according to the test procedure document written by the members of the PSS AG. The first two testing phases (offline and virtual testing) provide the infrastructure for the third phase, which is face-to-face testing. During the offline-testing phase, each vendor tests the other vendor's compressed audio and video bitstream files, 3GPP/MPEG-4 file format and packetized bit stream files. In the virtual testing phase, companies will use the Internet to test their protocols and equipment to initiate and complete a multimedia session.

In the face-to-face testing phase, manufacturers will connect between their streaming servers, content distribution servers, content creations tools and multimedia terminals in order to test an end-to-end multimedia content creation and delivery solution in real-time. The face-to-face tests are scheduled for March 11 - 15 at Siemens' facilities in Munich, Germany.

The first and second phases will continue until the early March. This will enable more vendors to join the tests in the current cycle. The IMTC PSS AG invites network infrastructure manufacturers, carriers, handset vendors, streaming multimedia vendors, content providers and organizations in the mobile market to participate in the current interoperability test.

For more information visit the IMTC's web site (www.imtc.org). Or, contact Adi Plaut at Emblaze ([e-mail]) or Dr. Imre Varga of Siemens AG ([e-mail]).

About the IMTC

The International Multimedia Telecommunications Consortium (IMTC) is an industry-leading, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, encourage, and facilitate the development and implementation of interoperable multimedia conferencing solutions based on open international standards. The IMTC hosts multimedia interoperability testing events and demonstrations throughout the world. Over the past three years, the IMTC has hosted more than 60 interoperability events to test T.120, H.320, H.323, H.324, SIP and Voice over IP products and services for compatibility with each other. The IMTC Board of Directors includes representatives from Avaya, Cisco Systems, Forgent, France Telecom, Intel, KPN Telecom, Nokia, Polycom, RADVISION, Ridgeway, Siemens AG, Sony, Tandberg, Telverse, and WorldCom. The San Ramon, California-based consortium comprises more than 100 member organizations from around the globe. Membership is open to any interested party, including vendors of audio, document, and video conferencing hardware and software; communications companies; teleconferencing service providers; end users; academic institutions; government agencies; and non-profit organizations. The consortium's Web site address is http://www.imtc.org.



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