Unified communications

Abstract

In the future people will no longer communicate at discrete times but will communicate continuously using the always-on features of the new networks (UMTS, GRPS, ADSL, WLAN). The communication may be passive in the sense that the network sends status information about the person (presence information) or active when the user sends a message, sets up a call, or makes a video connection. This new communication model requires a new platform and protocol. We see the current instant messaging platforms as the most likely platforms and the emerging Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) as the underlying protocol.