University of Savoie Mont Blanc teaching 5G and IMS the Right Way: With Packets, Not PowerPoint

Nestled between lakes and mountains, the University of Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB) isn’t just known for its views — it’s a hub for applied telecom innovation. And right now, it’s using Firecell’s Labkit to do something very few universities can claim: hands-on IMS training over a private 5G network.

The Setup Behind the Signal

At USMB’s Annecy campus, Master’s students in telecommunications are experimenting with IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) using Firecell’s Labkit. The setup has been part of the curriculum since 2023, with the goal of giving students practical exposure to real telecom systems. Instead of simulations, they’re working with a full 5G network — live in the classroom.

This approach is led by Stéphane Bauzac, the founder of the university’s Master’s program in telecoms, who’s been teaching next-generation networks for over two decades.

A Real 5G Network in the Classroom

“With the Labkit we can replicate what real mobile networks are doing — and let students see what’s actually happening on the 5G system. It’s far more valuable than PowerPoint,” says Stéphane BAUZAC, Associate Professor and Researcher at University of Savoie Mont Blanc. 

The goal is to give students direct experience with technologies like IMS and VoLTE — not just through simulations, but via a live, private 5G setup. With support from Firecell, USMB is working toward a fully operational, wireless version of its IMS TP, where students will be able to configure the core, observe behavior, and troubleshoot real scenarios in a safe lab environment.

What Is IMS TP — And Why Does It Matter?

IMS TP stands for IP Multimedia Subsystem Travaux Pratiques — in other words, a hands-on lab exercise built around the IMS core, which is the backbone of services like voice calls, video, SMS, and other IP-based communication over 4G and 5G networks.

In most telecom programs, IMS is something students hear about. At USMB, thanks to the Labkit, students actually see it working — and even break and fix it themselves.

That’s what makes the project so interesting: it brings carrier-grade technology, normally hidden deep inside commercial networks, directly into the classroom. Students can set up SIP clients, place call flows, trace registration issues, and see how 5G signaling behaves under real conditions — not in theory.

It’s not just an exercise. It’s training for the real world. And by turning this into a reusable “recipe,” USMB is helping other educators and engineers do the same — with no need for expensive or proprietary infrastructure.

From Wired to Wireless: A Recipe in the Making

USMB’s IMS TP started as a wired exercise, but now the team is working with Firecell to make it wireless — using running over the Labkit’s 5G as access network . The goal is to turn this setup into a reusable “5G recipe” that others in the Firecell community can adopt, adapt, and build on.

This is where teaching meets innovation. With Firecell’s open-source architecture and collaborative approach, the project at USMB goes beyond the classroom — offering a model for how universities can lead in telecom experimentation.

Why It Matters

Private 5G is often associated with industrial settings — ports, factories, logistics hubs. But USMB is showing how it can drive educational impact too. Their work with Firecell turns 5G from an abstract concept into a hands-on experience that teaches, tests, and inspires.

This project shows that when students can see inside the network — not just study it — they’re better prepared for the industry ahead. And when those insights are shared, the whole ecosystem moves forward.

Project Fact Box

Customer: University of Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB)
Contact: Stéphane BAUZAC, Associate Professor
Technologies Used: Private 5G, IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem), VoLTE
Network Type: Firecell’s Labkit 40
Use Cases:
– Teaching 5G core concepts in a hands-on academic setting
– Running IMS lab exercises as part of the Master’s telecom curriculum
– Troubleshooting real-time attachment and registration issues
Wait — They’re Doing That Too?
USMB and Firecell are also research partners in the EU-funded Smart Mountain 5G project. This project brings connectivity to remote Alpine areas for use cases such as energy monitoring, risk prevention, and connected agriculture. USMB leads applied research on these scenarios, while Firecell secures the connectivity with Private 5G where public networks fall short.