Service Delivery Platform (SDP) can be loosely defined as a standards based framework that facilitates the design, development, implementation and management of services required to run the operations of network services providers. The services could range from the basic voice connectivity to the state-of-the-art rich multimedia services.   

SDP systems represent a cost effective, efficient choice for implementation and operation of telecom grade applications.  SDP enables operators to go to market faster with new niche services, deliver services across multiple network types, reduce service deployment complexity, simplify service interaction, and ease service management - positively impacting revenues and reducing costs.  SDP systems also serve as a bridge to Next Generation Network (NGN) frameworks including the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS).

This publication will help the reader understand the market opportunity for deploying applications on SDP systems including market forecast, potential applications, vendor review and more. 

Vendors discussed in report include:

• Accenture

• BEA

• Ericsson

• Fiorano

• IBM

• Microsoft

• Motorola

• Nokia Siemens

• Software AG

• Tibco

• Vitria

Audience:

• Wireless, wireline and cable network operators will gain insights into the value provided by SDPs

• Telecom network infrastructure vendors will assess the importance of establishing their presence among SDP stakeholders

• Vendors seeking to better understand the opportunities to deploy applications via SDP systems to network operators

What is a Service Delivery Platform (SDP)?. 3
Benefits of SDP.. 3
Drivers for SDP.. 5
Operational Efficiency. 5
Need for Growth.. 6
Convergence. 7
Wireline and Wireless Convergence. 7
Convergence in General7
Targeted Service Offerings. 8
SDP and Service Oriented Architecture. 8
Service Delivery Platform Market9
Market Definition.. 9
Potential New Applications. 11
Connected Home and Entertainment11
Push to "X" (Content, Applications, Information, etc.)12
Group Address List and Dynamic Address Book. 12
Social Expression.. 14
Presence and Location-based Applications. 14
Universal Prepay. 15
Blended Applications. 16
Market Forecast16
SDP Vendors. 18
Infrastructure Vendors. 18
Software and SOA Vendors. 19
Summary and Recommendations. 21
Telco's and Service Providers. 21
Vendors and Support Service Providers. 21
Recommended Reading. 22
Understanding SDP and Related Technologies. 22
SDP Market Opportunities and Forecast23
Next Generation Networks (NGN)23
Appendix. 24
SDP Architecture. 24
SDP and OSS/BSS.. 25
IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)27
IMS Planes. 27
IMS Network Elements. 27
IMS based Applications. 30

List of Figures

Figure 1: Forces Driving Convergence
Figure 2: Sources of Address Data
Figure 3: Universal Address Book on Different Networks/Devices
Figure 4: Blended Applications
Figure 5: SDP Market Forecast
Figure 6: IMS Planes
Figure 7: IMS Model