NRG 3.0 is the successor to the JAMBALA Service Capability Server (SCS). An important aim of NRG is to support the easy creation of applications that rely on underlying functions in the telecommunication network. NRG is based on the standardized protocol Parlay/OSA.

Jesper Gröndahl, Product Manager at Ericsson for NRG says: " NRG is an integrator for launching new applications on top of different networks, PSTN as well as GSM, GPRS and WCDMA. It also makes new types of IT applications possible that combine the capabilities of the telecom networks with the rich interface available for messaging."

Another benefit is that NRG 3.0 acts as a firewall to protect the telecom networks. It ensures that the application's access to the network is always carried out in a controlled and reliable way.

NRG 3.0 allows developers to use well-known programming tools, such as Java, to design their applications. These applications make use of network capabilities already present and combine them in completely new and innovative applications.

For operators these kinds of new applications will become a growing source of income. They will be even more important when the 3G networks go mass-market.

An operator will include NRG in its own network as a gateway. It gives the operator the option of letting third-party suppliers run their applications on their own servers. Still, the operator can chose to keep control over all applications, running them in their own environment.

The interface between NRG 3.0 and the application servers consists of well-defined and standardized Application Protocol Interfaces (APIs). The designers of applications just need to pay attention to these APIs. They do not need to dive deep into the intricacies of the dedicated telecommunication network protocols.

The integration of telecom and IT plays an important role for the future roadmap of Parlay. This integration is already supported in NRG 3.0, but upcoming versions will make the connection between them even more seamless. NRG 4.0 will include an addition to the standard called Parlay X Web Services, Gröndahl says.

Parlay X is a set of building blocks directed to IT developers that want to include telecom capabilities in their IT solutions. Parlay X is placed on top of the Parlay gateway (the NRG 3.0). It will communicate with the application using an XML-based message exchange. Web services for NRG 4.0 is planned for general availability in second quarter of 2004.

Gröndahl notes that intense activity is going on when it comes to Parlay-based gateways for development and the deployment of web-based services. Eventually other packages with capabilities similar to Parlay X might become the accepted standard.

"We are keeping a close eye on the developments here, and will respond to industry needs," Gröndahl says.

Compared with Ericsson's earlier Parlay gateways, NRG 3.0 has widened the scope considerably. Several new APIs have been introduced. They are divided into four different optional packages:

• the Call Handling Kit, which includes multi-party calls and user interaction, allowing users to type in digits on their phone keypads  
• the Information Kit, which delivers user status information such as user name, network, IP-address and terminal type 
• the Messaging Kit, which supports SMS, MMS, WAP, e-mails and the retrieval of messages from external mailboxes  
• the User Kit, which contains APIs that support personal information management such as address books and calendars

The Basic Package in the solution includes the Parlay/OSA Framework with all capabilities needed for the functionality of the APIs. Also included in the basic package is the Software Development Kit (SDK). NRG 3.0 runs on Ericsson Telecom Service Platform 4.0 (TSP 4.0)

The SDK included in the release will be freely available for developers on Ericsson Mobility World. A simulator used to try out developers' applications will be bundled with the SDK.

Mats Udikas