NGL03-5: Ambient Middleware Framework for Efficient Service Provision to Users Anywhere around the Globe

The actual trend in the IT (information technology) market is to create a new environment that will enable end-users to access a variety of services (TV/Radio programs, Internet, Multimedia applications, Games ...), wherever they are, whenever they want and whatever terminal they use. No existing solution exists that allows the common user to have access, instantly and in real time, to his desired range of services and applications no matter when and where he may geographically be. With the emergence of Beyond-3G/4G systems and environments, network access possibilities will be much more present throughout the world. Based on this assumption, we present an approach that would permit to provide users anywhere around the globe with their desired services, even where the service is not accessible. Through the use of an ambient middleware, with MPEG-21 and metadata-based functionalities, the requested service will also be efficiently adapted for the benefit of the user.