he industry has not been SO forthcoming on the capabilities of IMS-capable devices. The industry lacks consensus not only on how to create the user experience but also on the methods in which applications interact with each other on the IMS devices. The usage models for IMS require the phones to be capable of multi-tasking something only achievable by current smart-phones. These issues will lead to delayed development of the devices for the masses, and will primarily focus on carrier-specific proprietary implementations. Thus, there is a time gap of Next Generation Mobile Communications Ecosystem -two to three years where we will only see half-baked IMS (SIP capable) devices enabling third-party providers to exploit a huge mobile user base with their proprietary software applications. 9.11 IMS Absence in Existing 3G Networks The IMS has not been incorporated in most of the existing 3G networks. The reasons being - late standardization of IMS as compared to 3GPP and 3GPP2 standards, lack of understanding of its potential, and unavailability of certain key IMS applications. The first standards of 3G were completed in the late 1990s; the first 3G network was established in October 2001 while IMS requirements were partially completed by 3GPP in March 2002. Later on both 3GPP2 and TISPAN added their flavors of IMS to further complicate the picture. However, this (standardization) fragmentation has been taken care of with the Common IMS initiative. In the early days of 3G (early to mid 2000s) the key data applications were Internet and messaging. For both applications IMS was not necessary, though it can enhance their performances. Most of the key IMS hungry applications like Push-to-Talk over Cellular, Presence, VoIP, and SO on, also came late in the picture. On the other hand, it is widely expected that IMS will play a significant role in the next generation EPS and WiMAX and future IMT-Advanced (4G) networks. IMS will also be the main driver for Fixed Mobile Convergence as envisioned by many industry players. 9.12 A