IP based services

Internet protocol (IP) is emerging as a ubiquitous protocol for communications and applications. IP-based services aims to provide consumers anytime-anywhere access to content over range of electronic devices and to integrate services & content, to tie them together. This paper presents an overview of various network architectures and their evolution to include an all IP based infrastructure fuelled by the introduction of the IMS which is capable of providing IP based multimedia services and backward integration with earlier networks. Two common IP based services i.e. IPTV and IP telephones has been discussed in context of the recent developments surrounding them, their advantages over traditional services have been highlighted. This paper concludes by discussing issues that must be resolved before these services are available commercially.