| Most Asian cellular carriers mulling over 3G have | | | | authenticated and authorized for mobile service |
| chalked out at least tentative transition paths | | | | access. |
| towards that Holy Grail. If they're GSM networks, | | | | - If approved, the INC updates the subscriber's |
| it's a safe bet EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM | | | | location information in the network. From that |
| Evolution) is being considered, to replace/augment | | | | point on, all mobile traffic is routed via the INC |
| GPRS for high speed data services. Because | | | | and over the IP access network. The subscriber |
| EDGE uses a new modulated scheme that is also | | | | is now on Voice over Broadband (VoB) and on a |
| used for UMTS/3G, EDGE becomes a sort of | | | | lower fixed line / VoB type tariff. |
| half-way house to 3G. | | | | - When the subscriber moves outside the range |
| The cost to introduce 3G into an existing GSM | | | | of the serving access point, the INC facilitates |
| network is enormous. A large portion of 3G's | | | | roaming to the licensed outdoor network. The |
| non-license related costs pertain to new nodes | | | | roaming process is completely transparent to the |
| patched into an existing GSM network to make it | | | | mobile subscriber. |
| 3G compliant. And of course, these new nodes | | | | - In addition, if a subscriber is on an active voice |
| need to inter-operate with existing 2G and 2.5G | | | | call or handset data session when they come |
| nodes. | | | | within range (or out of range) of a service access |
| An alternative does exist, that until recently dare | | | | point, the INC facilitates the handover of the |
| not speak its name. Marrying cellular and WiMax | | | | active call between networks. The handover is |
| WiFi clouds, is not just cheaper, but more in | | | | completely transparent to the mobile subscriber. |
| keeping with the times. Besides the cost benefits, | | | | - The WLAN access network issues the relevant |
| such a union addresses two other big issues: | | | | accounting information to the cellular network's |
| bringing high speed data services with laser like | | | | AAA server. This accounting information can then |
| precision to the urban users who need them and | | | | be incorporated into the operator's specific CDRs |
| voice connectivity over cell phones to suburban | | | | enabling it to be assimilated into the operator's |
| residential homes with poor cellular reception. | | | | existing legacy billing system, creating a single bill |
| Integrating selected WiFi Hot spots or WiMax Hot | | | | for Cellular and WLAN usage. |
| Zones into a cellular network requires an IP | | | | In divvying up responsibilities, the WLAN provider |
| Network Controller (INC), an IP access network, a | | | | manages the network while the mobile operator |
| patch to allow the Wireless LAN (WLAN) access | | | | looks after customer care and billing. The end-user |
| network to issue the relevant accounting | | | | pays his mobile operator for the usage of the |
| information to the cellular cloud's AAA | | | | WLAN. The charges for using a cell phone over a |
| (authentication, authorization, and accounting) | | | | WLAN would be lower than cellular use but in |
| server and an investment in IP roaming. Barring a | | | | most cases it would be incremental revenue that |
| few more widgets, that's essentially it. | | | | the cellular companies would otherwise lose to |
| Given the simplicity of such a solution, anyone | | | | fixed-line or VoB networks. |
| who has seen engineers sweat over cell site | | | | The cellular-WiFi/WiMax eco system also ropes in |
| deployment or attempted to work the math | | | | homes and offices equipped with broadband. To |
| behind the cellular hex grid, has to wonder why | | | | connect, the home or office user goes to his |
| the cell phone-wallahs have not already adopted | | | | mobile provider's web portal and registers his |
| WiFi/WiMax at their peripheries. | | | | WLAN into the IP Network Controller (INC). The |
| One however continues to sense discomfort in | | | | subscriber's cell phone is now patched into the |
| cellular circles over any open discussion on WiFi | | | | WLAN and on a lower fixed line / Voice over |
| WiMax. This may have something to do with the | | | | Boradband (VoB) type tariff. |
| fact that the same user who demands everything | | | | While there is growing competition in the VoB |
| be free on the Internet, is more than willing to | | | | sector, only the cell phone operator decides |
| pay a premium for his mobile service. The cellular | | | | whether the customer can get a combined |
| carrier therefore, is understandably wary of | | | | cellular+VoB bill. A mobile provider's Cellular-WLAN |
| encouraging bad habits in his paying customers. | | | | service shall therefore, stand head over shoulders |
| Kineto, an equipment manufacturer, explains how | | | | over any Vonage type VoB service. |
| such an eco-system would work. | | | | As we have seen, in a Cellular-WLAN eco system |
| - A subscriber with a WLAN, dual mode mobile | | | | devices intelligently pick and choose from the |
| phone moves within range of an access point to | | | | wireless network offering the strongest signal or |
| which the handset can connect. | | | | lowest price in a given area. It is a compelling |
| - On attaching, the handset contacts the mobile | | | | picture that demands the cellular operator's |
| operator's INC over the IP access network, to be | | | | attention, more so in Asia. |