NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES

Networking Technologies



Abstract

Significant developments are underway in wireless communications to enhance existing Second Genera-tion (2G) wireless networks to enable delivery of high bit rates to wireless terminals. Third Generation (3G) technologies offer the promise of Internet connectivity, video conferencing, and worldwide roaming in a small handheld terminal. This paper provides an overview of 3G technologies, starting with a review of technology proposals and standards activities. It then describes a proposed vision of the advanced network with emphasis on key service and applications drivers. In the process, we focus on the current vendor developments and corporate alliances especially related to the development of wireless Internet Protocol (IP) applications. The paper concludes with a presentation of a phased approach to the deployment of a mobile corporate network.

Networking Technologies

Introduction

Wireless communications constitute the fastest growing segment of the communications industry today. In 1995, cellular communications systems worldwide listed fewer than 100 million subscribers, with an average of 150,000 new ones joining each day. The demand for enhanced voice and data services stretched the limits of first generation networks. Second-generation (2G) wireless networks provided additional services that included fax, voice mail, call waiting, caller ID, limited short message capability, and improvement in network capacity. 2G networks also allowed the capability of transmitting circuit switched asynchronous and packet data at a raw rate of up to 9.6 kb/s or 14.4 kb/s (Xylomenos et al., 1999: 12). Today, with the exponential growth of the Inter-net, the mobile market is stretching the technology still further. Market research studies show that more wireless users are demanding Internet capabilities equivalent to those provided by the fixed network. As shown in Figure 1, subscribers want the Internet and they want wireless even more (Chan et al, 1999: 59).

Satisfying this demand requires development of a wireless network that supports advanced services previously available only through high-speed wired networks. The concept of 3G is based on the global International Mobile Tele-communications (IMT-2000) initiative sponsored by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to create a unified global set of standards that will lead to commercial deployment of advanced wireless services. The IMT-2000 goals and objectives for 3G are as follows (Fasbebder, et al., 1999: 69):

Reduce telecommunications performance gap between wireless and existing fixed networks

Convergence across technologies and geographic boundaries

Operate in both satellite and terrestrial environments

Coexistence with 2G systems

The main requirement which applies to 3G systems is to support higher data rate packet-switched (Internet Protocol (IP) traffic) and circuit switched (voice and video traffic) service up to at least 384 kb/s in all radio environments and up to 2 Mb/s in low mobility and indoor environments. The high bit-rate data services will not only allow packages of multimedia services (e-mail and Internet access, video conferencing, and imaging capability), but also deliver them seamlessly across heterogeneous networks to highly mobile terminals (Lettieri et al., 1999: 98).

While much of the ITU 3G focus has been on efficient access air interfaces, the design of a true multimedia capable network will most probably include a role for ...