IMS

IP Multimedia Subsystem

Core Network →
Introduced in R99 Also in: Core Network, Management

IMS is a standardized architectural framework for delivering IP-based multimedia services over networks, providing service control, authentication, and charging functions independent of the access technology.

Category
Core Network
Introduced
R99
Where
Services › Codecs
Also touches
2 segments
Specifications
183 specs
IMS Description Purpose Related Classification Detected Changes Specifications

Description

The IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) is a fundamental, access-agnostic core network subsystem within the 3GPP architecture. It is not a single node but a complete framework of logical functions and reference points designed to establish, modify, and terminate multimedia sessions using the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) as its primary signaling protocol. IMS decouples service delivery from the underlying transport layer (e.g., GSM, UMTS, LTE, 5G NR, WiFi, fixed broadband), enabling convergence and consistent service experience across diverse access networks. Its architecture is organized into three main layers: the Transport Layer (providing IP connectivity), the Control Layer (the IMS core itself), and the Application/Services Layer.

The core of the IMS control layer consists of Call Session Control Functions (CSCFs): the Proxy-CSCF (P-CSCF), Serving-CSCF (S-CSCF), and Interrogating-CSCF (I-CSCF). The P-CSCF is the first contact point for the User Equipment (UE), handling SIP message forwarding, security, and policy enforcement. The I-CSCF acts as the entry point to an operator's network, selecting an appropriate S-CSCF and hiding network topology. The S-CSCF is the central brain; it performs user registration, session routing, and interacts with the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) for authentication and user profile retrieval. Other critical functions include the HSS (master user database), Breakout Gateway Control Function (BGCF) for routing to circuit-switched networks, and Media Resource Functions (MRF) for conferencing and tones.

A session begins with UE registration. The UE discovers the P-CSCF, then sends a SIP REGISTER request. The S-CSCF authenticates the user (using credentials from HSS) via the IMS Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) protocol. Once registered, the UE can initiate a session (e.g., a VoLTE call) by sending a SIP INVITE. The S-CSCF routes the request based on initial Filter Criteria (iFC) downloaded from the HSS, which may trigger services on Application Servers (AS). IMS also integrates policy and charging control via the Rx interface to the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF), ensuring appropriate Quality of Service (QoS) and billing for the media flows. Media itself typically flows directly between endpoints (UEs) over IP, using protocols like RTP, under the control established by SIP signaling.

Purpose & Motivation

IMS was conceived to address the limitations of traditional mobile networks, which were built around circuit-switched technology optimized primarily for voice. As the internet grew, demand for integrated data and multimedia services (like video calling, instant messaging, and presence) increased. Pre-IMS attempts to offer these services were often vertical 'silos' – proprietary, access-dependent, and difficult to integrate, leading to poor user experience and high operator costs for development and maintenance.

The primary motivation for IMS was to create a horizontal, standardized service delivery platform. By basing it on Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) protocols like SIP and Diameter, 3GPP aimed to leverage internet technology while adding the necessary capabilities for carrier-grade telephony: robust security, guaranteed quality of service, lawful interception, and sophisticated charging models (prepaid, postpaid, event-based). This allowed operators to rapidly deploy and blend services (voice, video, text, file transfer) into rich communication suites, competing with Over-The-Top (OTT) internet players.

Furthermore, IMS was designed to be access-agnostic from its inception in 3GPP Release 5. This future-proofed the architecture, allowing it to serve not just 3G UMTS, but also subsequent technologies like LTE (where it became the foundation for VoLTE), 5G (for Voice over New Radio), WiFi (via VoWiFi), and fixed networks (leading to Fixed-Mobile Convergence). It solved the problem of service fragmentation, enabling a user to have the same phone number, identity, and service features whether connected via cellular, office WiFi, or home broadband. IMS thus became the cornerstone for the evolution of mobile networks towards All-IP networks, enabling the retirement of legacy circuit-switched cores.

Classification

Related approachesSIP

Detected Changes Across Releases

from 3GPP Change Requests

Specific changes extracted from the „Change history“ tables of 3GPP specifications (225 CRs across 5 releases). Complements the general historical overview above with the evidence-based evolution of this function.

Rel-15 26 changes

In Release 15, IMS was enhanced to operate over the new 5G System (5GS) and to support supplementary services like Communication HOLD (HOLD) and Message Waiting Indication (MWI) using the IP Multimedia Core Network subsystem. The release also introduced procedures for retrieving migration credentials for IMS access and updated the IMS registration process for UEs in Dual Registration mode. Furthermore, it provided enhancements for UE location description for IMS charging when connected over WLAN.

  • Retrieval of migration credentials for access to SIP core / IMS of a partner MC system TS 23.280CR0066
  • IMS multimedia telephony communication service and supplementary services TS 24.173CR0122
  • Message Waiting Indication (MWI) using IP Multimedia (IM) Core Network (CN) subsystem TS 24.606CR0020
  • Terminating Identification Presentation (TIP) and Terminating Identification Restriction (TIR) using IP Multimedia (IM) Core Network (CN) subsystem TS 24.608CR0029
  • Communication HOLD (HOLD) using IP Multimedia (IM) Core Network (CN) subsystem TS 24.610CR0043
  • Communication Waiting (CW) using IP Multimedia (IM) Core Network (CN) subsystem TS 24.615CR0073

+ 20 more changes

Rel-16 40 changes

In Release 16, the IMS was enhanced to support new procedures for the P-CSCF, including restoration, handling session timers, and support for SIP forking and RTCP flows. Furthermore, IMS integration with the 5G core network was deepened by enabling the P-CSCF to use the NRF for discovery and allowing IMS to interact with the PCF via the N5 interface. The release also introduced updates for emergency services, charging with a new service-based interface, and support for providing the Network Identifier (NID) to the P-CSCF.

  • Support for RLOS in IMS TS 23.228CR1193
  • eIMS P-CSCF use of NRF TS 23.228CR1199
  • SBA HSS Services for IMS TS 23.228CR1200
  • Allowing SMF to perform P-CSCF Discovery using NRF TS 23.228CR1202
  • Allowing IMS to use N5 interface to interact with PCF TS 23.228CR1203
  • Additional corrections for allowing IMS to use N5 interface to interact with PCF TS 23.228CR1204

+ 34 more changes

Rel-17 33 changes

In Release 17, key IMS enhancements included the introduction of IMS Credentials (IMC) to support terminals accessing IMS via a Standalone Non-Public Network (SNPN), along with specific support for IMS emergency services and multiple independent IMS providers within SNPNs. The release also added IMS authentication using the AKAv2-SHA-256 digest AKA algorithm and introduced an IMS data channel media feature tag for the Accept-Contact header. Furthermore, improvements were made to converged charging architecture and the ability to upgrade a non-MPS session to an MPS session.

  • Upgrade IMS non-MPS session to an IMS MPS session. TS 23.228CR1238
  • Support for Attestation for IMS priority sessions TS 23.228CR1241
  • SNPN configuration in IMS MO TS 24.167CR0225
  • IMS data channel media feature tag in Accept-Contact header TS 24.173CR0147
  • Failed P-CSCF TS 29.228CR0697
  • Failed P-CSCF TS 29.229CR0298

+ 27 more changes

Rel-18 41 changes

In Release 18, the IMS introduced comprehensive support for the IMS Data Channel service, including new capabilities for its establishment, capability discovery, and negotiation. Key additions encompassed UE-triggered setup, duration-based charging principles, and roaming support for this feature. The release also brought updates to IMS Application Server services within a Service-Based Architecture and clarified procedures for cross-border mobility with home-routed IMS calls.

  • Architecture of IMS supporting data channel TS 23.228CR1263
  • IMS SBA Services TS 23.228CR1264
  • IMS DC capability discovery TS 23.228CR1268
  • The requirement of the IMS AS during registration TS 24.186CR0001
  • Adding 3gpp-req-app attribute to SDP negotiation of IMS data channels TS 26.114CR0551
  • Add charging principle of duration-based charging for IMS data channel TS 32.260CR0431

+ 35 more changes

Rel-19 85 changes

In Release 19, key IMS enhancements included the introduction of a standalone IMS Data Channel feature and a framework for network-initiated data channels, alongside new procedures for adding a data channel to an existing IMS session. The release also expanded support for UE-to-UE satellite communication within IMS, defining specific call setup and mobility procedures, including ground fallback. Furthermore, it added support for MPS priority for IMS messaging and for conveying third-party user identity information.

  • Support of IMS data channel interworking between DCMTSI UE and MTSI UE TS 23.228CR1418
  • Support of MPS priority for IMS Immediate Messaging and IMS Session-based Messaging TS 23.228CR1419
  • KI#6: Support of Standalone IMS Data Channel feature TS 23.228CR1422
  • Supporting of network initiated IMS Data Channel TS 23.228CR1425
  • KI#1: IMS Subscribe/Notify Framework Architecture TS 23.228CR1409
  • Support of UE-Satellite-UE communication in IMS - Functionality TS 23.228CR1428

+ 79 more changes

Explore further

Broader topics and technologies where IMS plays a role.

Defining Specifications

3GPP specifications that define or reference IMS, with the latest known release. Sourced from the 3GPP document catalog — see methodology.

SpecificationTitleRelease
TR 21.905 vj00 3GPP Technical Terms and Definitions Rel-19
TS 22.234 vd10 3GPP-WLAN Interworking Index Specification Rel-13
TS 22.240 vj00 3GPP Generic User Profile Requirements Rel-19
TS 22.250 vj00 IMS Group Management Requirements Rel-19
TS 22.273 v1700 IMS Multimedia Telephony with PSTN/ISDN Simulation Rel-7
TS 22.340 vj00 IMS Messaging Stage 1 Requirements Rel-19
TS 22.401 v1800 Videotelephony Service Requirements for NGN Rel-8
TS 22.495 v1700 NGN Requirements for IMS Services Rel-7
TS 22.519 vj00 NGN Business Communication Requirements Rel-19
TR 22.940 vj00 IMS Messaging Requirements Analysis Rel-19
TR 22.944 vj00 UE Functionality Split Scenarios and Requirements Rel-19
TR 22.949 vj00 Privacy Requirements Study for 3GPP Services Rel-19
TR 22.977 vj00 Speech Enabled Services and Multimodal Framework Rel-19
TR 22.980 vj00 Network Composition Feasibility Study Rel-19
TS 23.125 v1700 Flow Based Charging Architecture Rel-7
TS 23.127 v1600 Virtual Home Environment Stage 2 Specification Rel-6
TS 23.141 vj00 Presence Service Stage 2 Architecture Rel-19
TS 23.179 vd50 MCPTT Functional Architecture Rel-13
TS 23.198 v1900 Open Service Access (OSA); Stage 2 Rel-9
TS 23.207 vj00 End-to-End QoS Framework for GPRS Rel-19
TS 23.218 vj00 IMS Call Model Specification Rel-19
TS 23.221 vj00 3GPP System Architectural Requirements Rel-19
TS 23.228 vj50 IMS Stage-2 Service Description Rel-19
TS 23.271 vj00 LCS Stage 2 Specification Rel-19
TS 23.280 vk10 Common Architecture for Mission Critical Services Rel-20
TS 23.281 vk10 MCVideo Functional Architecture and Flows Rel-20
TS 23.379 vk00 MCPTT Functional Architecture Rel-20
TS 23.392 vj20 MMTel Application Enablement Rel-19
TS 23.417 v1700 IMS Core Component for NGN Architecture Rel-7
TS 23.517 v1800 IMS Core Component for NGN Architecture Rel-8
TS 23.700 vk00 XR Services Application Enablement Layer Rel-20
TS 23.701 vc00 WebRTC Access to IMS Architecture Study Rel-12
TS 23.719 ve00 Study on Service Domain Centralization (SeDoC) Rel-14
TR 23.794 vh00 Study on enhanced IMS to 5GC integration Rel-17
TS 23.802 v1700 Enhanced End-to-End QoS Architecture Rel-7
TS 23.806 v1700 Voice Call Continuity between CS and IMS Rel-7
TS 23.815 v1500 IMS Charging Implications Rel-5
TS 23.844 vc00 IMS P2P Content Distribution Services Study Rel-12
TR 23.976 vj00 Push Service Requirements Analysis Rel-19
TR 23.979 vj00 PoC over 3GPP Systems Architectural Requirements Rel-19
TR 23.981 vj00 IPv4 IMS Interworking and Migration Study Rel-19
TS 24.103 vj00 Telepresence Protocol for IMS Rel-19
TS 24.147 vj00 IMS Conferencing Protocol Details Rel-19
TS 24.166 vj00 IMS Conferencing Management Object Rel-19
TS 24.167 vj00 3GPP IMS Management Object Specification Rel-19
TS 24.173 vj00 Multimedia Telephony Service and Supplementary Services in IMS Rel-19
TS 24.186 vj60 IMS Data Channel applications Rel-19
TS 24.196 vj00 Enhanced Calling Name (eCNAM) Stage 3 Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.216 vj00 Communication Continuity Management Object Rel-19
TS 24.229 vj50 IMS call control protocol based on SIP and SDP Rel-19
TS 24.247 vj10 IMS Messaging Service Protocol Details Rel-19
TS 24.259 vj00 Personal Network Management (PNM) Protocol Details Rel-19
TS 24.286 vj00 3GPP TS 24.286: ICS Management Object Rel-19
TS 24.305 vj00 Selective Disabling of 3GPP UE Capabilities Rel-19
TS 24.322 vj00 IMS Tunneling over Restrictive Networks Rel-19
TS 24.323 vj00 IMS Service Level Tracing Management Object Rel-19
TS 24.390 vj00 USSD over IMS Procedures Rel-19
TS 24.391 vj00 USSD over IMS Management Object Specification Rel-19
TS 24.404 v1700 Communication Diversion Services (CDIV) Rel-7
TS 24.405 v1700 Conference Service Protocol Description Rel-7
TS 24.406 v810 Message Waiting Indication (MWI) Protocol Rel-8
TS 24.407 v830 OIP and OIR Simulation Services Protocol Rel-8
TS 24.408 v1700 TIP/TIR Services Protocol Specification Rel-7
TS 24.410 v810 Protocol Description of HOLD Services Rel-8
TS 24.416 v1700 Malicious Call Identification Service Rel-7
TS 24.428 v1700 Common Basic Communication Procedures Rel-7
TS 24.447 v800 Advice Of Charge (AOC) Service Protocol Rel-8
TS 24.454 v840 Closed User Group (CUG) Protocol Specification Rel-8
TS 24.504 v8m0 Communication Diversion Services Stage 3 Rel-8
TS 24.505 v810 Protocol Description of the Conference Service Rel-8
TS 24.508 v820 TIP and TIR Service Protocol Description Rel-8
TS 24.516 v830 MCID Protocol Specification for NGN Rel-8
TS 24.523 vj00 NGCN-NGN Interconnection Scenarios Rel-19
TS 24.524 vj00 Hosted Enterprise Services Architecture Rel-19
TS 24.526 vj30 UE Policies for 5GS; Stage 3 Rel-19
TS 24.528 v830 Common Basic Communication Procedures for IMS Services Rel-8
TS 24.604 vj00 Communications Diversion (CDIV) Protocol Spec Rel-19
TS 24.605 vj00 3GPP CONF Service Protocol Specification Rel-19
TS 24.606 vj00 MWI Service Protocol Description Rel-19
TS 24.607 vj10 OIP and OIR Supplementary Services Stage 3 Rel-19
TS 24.608 vj00 3GPP TS 24608: TIP/TIR Services Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.610 vj00 Communication Hold (HOLD) Service Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.615 vj00 Communication Waiting (CW) Service Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.616 vj00 Malicious Call Identification (MCID) Protocol Rel-19
TS 24.623 vj00 XCAP Protocol for Supplementary Services Rel-19
TS 24.628 vj00 Common Basic Communication Procedures in IMS Rel-19
TS 24.642 vj00 CCBS/CCNR/CCNL SIP Protocol Specification Rel-19
TS 24.647 vj00 Advice of Charge (AOC) service protocol Rel-19
TS 24.654 vj00 Closed User Group (CUG) supplementary service Rel-19
TS 24.803 vc00 Telepresence using IMS - Study Rel-12
TS 24.819 v1700 IMS Services via Fixed Broadband Access Rel-7
TR 24.930 vj00 IMS Session Setup Signalling Flows Rel-19
TS 26.114 vj10 IMS Multimedia Telephony Media Handling Rel-19
TS 26.131 vj00 Terminal Acoustic Performance Requirements Rel-19
TS 26.132 vj00 Terminal Acoustic Test Methods Rel-19
TS 26.141 vj00 IMS Messaging & Presence Media Formats Rel-19
TS 26.237 vj00 IMS for PSS and MBMS Control Rel-19
TS 26.238 vj00 Framework for Live Uplink Streaming (FLUS) Rel-19
TS 26.264 vj20 IMS-based AR Real-Time Communication Rel-19
TS 26.506 vj20 Real-Time Media Communication Architecture for 5G Rel-19
TS 26.567 vj00 IMS-based Split Rendering Rel-19
TS 26.804 vj10 5G Media Streaming Extensions Study Rel-19
TS 26.822 vj20 5G RTP Configurations Study Phase 2 Rel-19
TR 26.862 vh00 Immersive Teleconferencing & Telepresence for Remote Terminals Rel-17
TR 26.902 vj00 Video Codec Performance for 3GPP Packet Services Rel-19
TR 26.905 vj00 Study on Mobile 3D Video Services Rel-19
TR 26.914 vj00 Multimedia Telephony over IP Optimization Rel-19
TR 26.927 vj00 AI/ML in 5G Media Services Study Rel-19
TR 26.944 vj00 QoE, ESQoS and SQoS metrics for 3G multimedia services Rel-19
TR 26.948 vj00 Video enhancements for 3GPP Multimedia Services Rel-19
TR 26.982 vj00 Multiparty Real-Time Text Protocol Details Rel-19
TR 26.998 vj00 5G AR/MR Glasses Integration Study Rel-19
TS 27.060 vj00 TE-MT Interworking for Packet Domain Rel-19
TS 28.701 vj00 Core Network NRM IRP Requirements Rel-19
TS 28.702 vj00 Core Network NRM IRP Information Service Rel-19
TS 28.704 vj00 IMS NRM IRP Requirements Rel-19
TS 28.705 vj00 IMS NRM IRP Information Service Rel-19
TS 28.706 vj00 IMS NRM IRP Solution Set definitions Rel-19
TR 28.840 vi10 Technical Report Rel-18
TS 29.061 vj00 Packet Domain Interworking for PLMN Rel-19
TS 29.172 vj00 EPC LCS Protocol (ELP) specification Rel-19
TS 29.176 vj40 Nmf Service Based Interface for Media Function Rel-19
TS 29.199 v1900 Multimedia Messaging Web Services Rel-9
TS 29.228 vj20 Cx and Dx Interface Signaling Flows Rel-19
TS 29.229 vj10 Diameter Protocol for Cx/Dx Interfaces Rel-19
TS 29.234 vb20 WLAN-3GPP Interworking Stage-3 Protocol Rel-11
TS 29.278 vj00 CAMEL Application Part (CAP) for IMS Phase 4 Rel-19
TS 29.328 vj20 Sh and Dh Interfaces: HSS-AS Interactions Rel-19
TS 29.329 vj10 Diameter Protocol for Sh Interface Rel-19
TS 29.330 vj00 Diameter-based Sc Interface Specification Rel-19
TS 29.332 vj00 MGCF-IM-MGW Interface Protocol (Mn) Rel-19
TS 29.412 v1810 Trunking Gateway Control Procedures Rel-8
TS 29.421 v810 IMS Interworking with External IP Networks Rel-8
TS 29.424 v801 H.248 Profile for Trunking Media Gateways Rel-8
TS 29.458 v850 SIP Transfer of Tariff Info for Charging Rel-8
TS 29.514 vj40 5G System; Policy Authorization Service; Stage 3 Rel-19
TS 29.562 vj40 HSS Services for IMS & GBA Interworking Rel-19
TS 29.658 vj00 SIP Transfer of Tariff Information Rel-19
TS 29.866 vj00 IMS Disaster Prevention & Restoration Enhancement Rel-19
TR 29.949 vj00 VoLTE IMS Roaming Architecture & Procedures Rel-19
TS 31.103 vj00 ISIM Application Specification Rel-19
TS 31.829 vd00 ISIM Conformance Requirements Technical Report Rel-13
TS 32.102 vj00 Telecom Management Physical Architecture Framework Rel-19
TS 32.140 vj00 Subscription Management (SuM) requirements Rel-19
TS 32.141 vj00 Subscription Management (SuM) Architecture Rel-19
TS 32.182 vj00 UDC Common Baseline Information Model (CBIM) Rel-19
TS 32.240 vj40 Charging Management Architecture & Principles Rel-19
TS 32.250 vj00 Circuit Switched Offline Charging Rel-19
TS 32.260 vj10 IMS Charging Management Rel-19
TS 32.270 vj00 MMS Charging Management Specification Rel-19
TS 32.271 vj20 3GPP LCS Charging Management Spec Rel-19
TS 32.272 vj00 Charging for Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) Rel-19
TS 32.277 vj20 Charging Management for Proximity Services (ProSe) Rel-19
TS 32.291 vj40 Charging Management: Service-Based Interface Protocol Rel-19
TS 32.296 vj00 Online Charging System (OCS) Architecture Rel-19
TS 32.297 vj00 Charging Data Record File Transfer Rel-19
TS 32.298 vj30 Charging Data Record (CDR) Parameter Specification Rel-19
TS 32.299 vj00 Diameter Charging Applications for 3GPP Rel-19
TS 32.409 vj00 IMS Performance Management Measurements Rel-19
TS 32.410 vj00 3GPP TS 32.410: Key Performance Indicators (KPI) Rel-19
TS 32.454 vj00 IMS Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Rel-19
TS 32.631 vb00 Core Network Resources IRP Requirements Rel-11
TS 32.632 vb00 Core Network Resources IRP: Network Resource Model Rel-11
TS 32.731 vb00 IMS Network Resource Model IRP Requirements Rel-11
TS 32.732 vb00 IMS Network Resource Model IRP: Information Service Rel-11
TS 32.735 v1910 IMS NRM IRP Bulk CM XML Format Rel-9
TS 32.736 vb00 IMS NRM IRP Solution Set Definitions Rel-11
TS 32.808 v1800 Common User Profile Storage Framework Rel-8
TS 32.833 vb00 Converged OSS End-to-End Management Study Rel-11
TR 32.901 vj00 UDC Application Data Models Study Rel-19
TS 33.107 vj00 Lawful Interception Architecture & Functions Rel-19
TS 33.108 vj00 LI Handover Interface Specification Rel-19
TS 33.141 vj00 Security for Presence Service (Ut reference point) Rel-19
TS 33.203 vj10 IMS Security Specification Rel-19
TS 33.310 vj50 3GPP Authentication Framework for Network Nodes Rel-19
TS 33.328 vj10 IMS Media Plane Security Specification Rel-19
TS 33.790 vj10 Security for Next-Gen Real-Time Communication Phase 2 Rel-19
TS 33.804 vc00 Non-UICC SSO using SIP Digest credentials Rel-12
TS 33.856 vg10 Security for 5G to 3G Voice Continuity Rel-16
TR 33.978 v1800 Interim Security for Early IMS Rel-8
TS 43.129 vj00 PS Handover in GERAN A/Gb and GAN Modes Rel-19
TR 43.901 vj00 Generic Access to A/Gb Interface Feasibility Study Rel-19
TR 45.902 vj00 Flexible Layer One (FLO) for GERAN Rel-19