Image Share


Image Share is a service for sharing images between users during a mobile phone call. It has been specified for use in a 3GPP-compliant cellular network by the GSM Association in the PRD IR.79 Image Share Interoperability Specification.
According to the specification, "The terminal interoperable Image Share service allows users to share Images between them over PS connection with ongoing CS call, thus enhancing and enriching end-users voice communication."
An Image Share session begins by end-users setting up a normal circuit switched voice call. After the voice call is set up, terminals perform a registration to an IMS core system with a packet switched connection. Then based on successful capability negotiation between the terminals, the end-user will be presented with an option in terminal UI offering the possibility of sharing one or several images. If this is selected, then these images are transferred between the Image Share software clients located in the mobile phones using the PS connection and the recipient is able to see the images. During this process the normal CS voice session has been ongoing continuously.
Image Share can be seen as a kind of spin-off from the Video Share mobile phone service. Video Share is commercially launched for example by AT&T in USA, but Image Share is not yet available from any mobile operator/service provider.

Technical features

According to GSMA press release interoperability between different Image Share clients was successfully tested in a multi-vendor trial in May 2007, including interworking between multiple networks.
No mobile operator has launched Image Share so far.