Global IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market by Component (Product, Services (Managed Services, Professional Services)), By Telecom Operator (Mobile Operators, Fixed Operators), By Region, Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 3.57 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	12.45%
Fastest Growing Segment	Mobile Operators
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 7.22 Billion

Market Overview

The Global IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market will grow from USD 3.57 Billion in 2025 to USD 7.22 Billion by 2031 at a 12.45% CAGR. The IP Multimedia Subsystem is a standardized architectural framework that facilitates the delivery of multimedia services including voice and video across IP networks. The market is primarily driven by the telecommunications industry transition from legacy circuit switched architectures to all IP systems alongside the extensive rollout of 5G Standalone networks. This migration mandates robust IMS deployment to support Voice over LTE and Voice over New Radio which are essential for maximizing spectrum efficiency and maintaining service continuity. According to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association, in 2025, 375 operators are investing in Voice over LTE services across 156 countries and territories, underscoring the critical role of IMS in modern connectivity.

However, the market faces a significant challenge regarding the complexity of network integration. As service providers adopt modern IMS solutions, ensuring seamless interoperability between new protocols and existing legacy systems creates technical difficulties. This integration burden can lead to extended deployment timelines and increased operational expenditures, potentially slowing the pace of market expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The Accelerated Rollout of 5G Standalone (SA) Network Architectures is a primary catalyst for the Global IMS Market, as this architecture fundamentally relies on IMS to deliver Voice over New Radio (VoNR). Unlike Non-Standalone deployments that anchor voice to legacy LTE cores, 5G SA requires a completely cloud-native IMS core to manage voice and video services, compelling operators to upgrade their infrastructure for purely IP-based communications. This architectural shift is rapidly scaling, as operators move beyond trials to commercial deployment to unlock advanced network slicing and ultra-low latency capabilities. According to the Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA), December 2025, 181 operators in 73 countries are investing in public 5G standalone networks, driving a substantial wave of procurement for modern IMS solutions.

Simultaneously, the Strategic Sunsetting of Legacy 2G and 3G Circuit-Switched Networks is forcing a universal migration to IMS-supported Voice over LTE (VoLTE). As telecommunications providers decommission older spectrum-inefficient technologies to reallocate bandwidth for 4G and 5G, the traditional circuit-switched fallback for voice is eliminated, making robust IMS implementation mandatory for service continuity. According to Orange, October 2025, more than 200 operators worldwide have already started or completed their 2G or 3G phase-out, directly increasing the operational reliance on IMS for basic connectivity. This transition supports a massive user base; according to the Ericsson Mobility Report, June 2025, global 5G subscriptions are expected to reach 2.9 billion by the end of 2025, creating an immense addressable market for IMS-enabled voice services.

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Key Market Challenges

The complexity of network integration stands as a formidable barrier impeding the expansion of the Global IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) market. As telecommunication operators strive to modernize their infrastructure, the technical necessity of ensuring seamless interoperability between nascent 5G protocols and entrenched legacy systems creates a substantial operational bottleneck. This integration burden forces service providers to dedicate disproportionate resources to testing and validation, which directly inflates capital expenditures and extends the time-to-market for critical multimedia services. Consequently, the anticipated revenue streams from advanced applications are delayed, reducing the overall investment appeal of immediate IMS migration for many operators.

This operational friction is quantitatively evident in recent industry deployment rates, where a clear gap exists between investment intent and actual execution. According to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association, in August 2025, while 173 operators were actively investing in public 5G Standalone networks, only 77 had successfully launched commercial services. This significant disparity underscores how integration hurdles effectively slow the pace of deployment. By prolonging the transition period, these technical challenges restrict the addressable market for next-generation voice and video services, thereby tempering the overall growth trajectory of the IMS sector.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of Network API Exposure and Monetization Models is reshaping the IMS landscape by transforming the network into a programmable platform. Operators are leveraging standardized interfaces to expose core IMS capabilities, such as Number Verification, directly to developers. This strategy allows providers to monetize infrastructure beyond traditional subscriptions by charging for real-time API access. The scale of this initiative is vast; according to the GSMA, June 2025, in the 'Open Gateway State of the Market' report, the initiative now covers 79% of the global mobile market share, with 73 operator groups committing to these APIs to unlock new enterprise revenue.

The Proliferation of Rich Communication Services (RCS) for Enterprise Messaging has evolved into a critical growth engine for IMS traffic, driven by universal OS support. Enterprises are aggressively shifting from SMS to RCS to utilize features such as high-resolution media and interactive carousels for customer engagement. This migration necessitates high-capacity IMS handling to manage the complex signaling of rich business-to-consumer interactions. The impact is immediate; according to Infobip, March 2025, in the 'Messaging Trends Report', global RCS usage on their platform increased by 500% year-on-year, confirming a massive surge in enterprise demand that mandates robust IMS scaling.

Segmental Insights

The Mobile Operators segment is currently positioning itself as the fastest-growing category within the Global IP Multimedia Subsystem market, driven by the rapid global transition toward all-IP network architectures. This expansion is primarily fueled by the extensive rollout of 4G and 5G infrastructure, which necessitates IMS integration to deliver Voice over LTE and Voice over New Radio services effectively. As validated by technical standards from the 3GPP, telecommunications providers are compelled to replace legacy circuit-switched systems with IMS frameworks to ensure network interoperability. Consequently, operators are aggressively investing in this technology to manage increasing multimedia communication demands efficiently.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a leading position in the Global IP Multimedia Subsystem market, driven by the extensive deployment of modern telecommunications infrastructure. Regional operators have prioritized the integration of Voice over LTE and 5G networks to meet rising consumer demand for reliable communication services. Furthermore, the Federal Communications Commission facilitates this expansion through regulatory frameworks that support the migration from legacy telephony to efficient IP-based models. This combination of consistent commercial investment and favorable policy support ensures the region remains the primary hub for market development.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, Ericsson signed a multi-year agreement with e& UAE to modernize the telecommunications operator's 5G Core network using advanced cloud-native technologies. The project involved the upgrade of essential core network applications, including the IP Multimedia Subsystem, Unified Data Management, and User Data Consolidation. This modernization effort was designed to enable the operator to leverage cutting-edge 5G capabilities while ensuring robust platform stability through automation. The deployment aimed to support low-latency applications and mission-critical services, thereby bringing the network closer to a fully cloud-native architecture that facilitates high-quality voice and data experiences.
• In February 2025, Nokia announced the extension of its partnership with AT&T to enhance the operator's voice network capabilities through cloud-based innovations. This multi-year agreement focused on integrating Voice over New Radio technology and transitioning the vendor's IP Multimedia Subsystem Voice Core to a cloud infrastructure. The initiative was intended to accelerate service rollouts, improve operational efficiency, and drive automation across the network. By utilizing the company's cloud platform and digital operations software, the collaboration aimed to streamline network management and support the delivery of next-generation voice services to meet evolving customer demands.
• In May 2024, Mavenir entered into a five-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Amazon Web Services to transform the deployment of telecom network workloads. This partnership was designed to jointly architect the company's technology to streamline the development and integration of cloud-native solutions. The collaboration specifically aimed to optimize how communication service providers launch critical network functions, including the IP Multimedia Subsystem, 5G Core, and Radio Access Network. By leveraging public cloud scalability and security, the initiative sought to reduce the total cost of ownership for operators while enhancing the adaptability and reliability of their voice and messaging networks.
• In February 2024, ZTE Corporation released a comprehensive white paper on 5G New Calling and demonstrated its related solutions at MWC Barcelona. The company emphasized that the implementation of 5G New Calling services necessitates a significant upgrade to the IP Multimedia Subsystem architecture to support Data Channel capabilities. This development aimed to introduce ultra-high-definition video and immersive interactive experiences for users. By evolving the traditional voice and video channels, the organization sought to enable operators to monetize new distinct services such as real-time translation and fun calling features, thereby driving innovation in the global telecommunications market.

Key Market Players

• Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd
• Ericsson AB
• IBM Corporation
• Samsung Networks
• CommVerge Solutions
• Ribbon Communications
• Cisco Systems Inc.
• Oracle Corporation
• Nokia Corporation
• ZTE Corporation

By Telecom Operator	By Region
Mobile Operators Fixed Operators	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market, By Telecom Operator:

• Mobile Operators
• Fixed Operators

• IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE