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Abstract
Increasingly, operators worldwide will be faced with a similar challenge of managing data congestion over multiple access networks. With networks evolving into LTE, operators would need to carefully assess the technology t into integrating complementary nature of multiple access networks into an all-IP at architecture. An all IP at architecture helps to tie heterogeneous access networks that devices can attach to access end-user services. Communication devices today are able to connect with more than one type of wireless technologies to the web of things. These connections typically offer the same or similar capabilities (e.g. IP data). An end-user will connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot, if within range. When moving away from range, the communication link is handover to for example, UMTS. The motivation of inter-working lies in marrying the diverse strengths of each communication technology. High-bandwidth data communication inherent in WLAN lacks mobility. Conversely, cellular technologies such as UMTS succeed in highly mobile environments, but limited in bandwidth. Although cellular networks are evolving from todays 3G to LTE that brings promise of capacity leaps (by nearly 4 times), the overall data growth projection will outpace LTE deployments and ll up very quickly. The immediate need to curtail congested network and effectively manage mobility is imminent to accommodate the data trafc on their networks. The impact of inter-mobility between inter access technology together with various types of mobility support including 3GPP legacy network and non 3GPP is necessary to provide a target low-latency, higher data-rate, all-IP core network capable of supporting real-time packet services. Some of the available IP mobility protocols lack sufcient control to the network to optimize the handover process and do not handle well with slow connection setups of some wireless technologies. This paper highlights the potential approaches of bringing together mobility technologies that are available and how these approaches contribute to resolve operator concerns in deployment of services and combating congestion, access technology integration and evolution to LTE from legacy 3GPP networks. Shift of inter-technology mobility is key component in bringing new services to market, closing the gap on disparate radio technologies to an integrated delivery platform for optimization of CAPEX and simplifying LTE deployments.

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Contents
Overview Mobility Management, a Closer Look Coverage, Economics, and Differentiation toward Multi-Access Wireless Networking Mobility Protocols and Standards Network-based Mobility - PMIP Host-based Mobility - DSMIP Greenpacket Smart Mobility Putting Mobility Management In Practice New Data Services Through LTE co-exist with UMTS Conclusion Manage Your Moves, in Every Network Seamlessly References 09 10 11 07 08 05 01 02

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Overview
The rapid growth of data usage is evident and heightened by the worldwide smartphone shipments increasing by 87.2%1 year on year. The emergence of smartphones, feature phones and tablets are leading the change in transforming the next generation of user interfaces. Mobile communication has become more important in the recent years. With a service mix of data, voice, VoIP, IPTV and value added service creation operators are challenged to deliver exceptional user experience to the end-users. To guarantee user mobility in a cellular network, devices should be able to move seamlessly in and out of networks. The development of such evolved communication is driven by continuing 3GPP standardization adopting an all-IP at architecture in Long Term Evolution (LTE). The IP-based architecture of LTE will evolve towards Evolved Packet Core (otherwise known as Systems Architecture Evolution, SAE). 3GPP standard denes inter-RAT mobility referring to mobility support between LTE and 3GPP technologies and inter-technology mobility2 between LTE and non-3GPP technologies. Inter-technology mobility is the ability to support movement of a device between differing radio access networks. A basic form of inter-technology mobility can be achieved by a multi-access network enabled device through operator controlled network selection or user controlled selection. In this case, the device or the user selects which access network to use and initiates access to it. If the selected access network becomes unavailable, the device selects another technology, initiate access to it and re-establish communications with the applications again. This basic form of inter-technology mobility is marginally acceptable for some applications (e.g. email and web browsing) and common for nomadic users that do not require a high level of QoS. Conversely, in session-based or transaction based applications (e.g. nancial transactions, VPN access, VoIP, video) it seriously degrades the user experience. The process of re-authenticating onto the network and accessing applications can cause delays and disruption to services. Latency is not permitted, since this would cause packet loss during the handover period or disrupt the call due to excessive jitter. For example, a user could be watching video both which may stop during handover. In order to maintain service continuity, a seamless handover is performed to certain radio performance parameters; delay constraints in relation to service interruption and the service quality. A seamless handover be it intra or inter handover, is required by strict QoS and can vary only within a minimal measure, so that changes are not noticeable to the user. Seamless handover specications are evolving and in draft development. Within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) standardization, several protocol variants of Mobile IP (MIP) ranging from MIPv4/v6, PMIPv4/v6, FMIP to HMIP are already addressing seamless mobility in some aspects at the network and IP level. Additionally, the execution of seamless mobility together with ofoading in consideration, can contribute to less congested networks. The applied DS-MIPv4/v6 and MIP v4/v6 are commonly adopted in 3GPP architectures (such as iWLAN, ANDSF) in mobility management and data ofoading.

1 2

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Source : International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (Jan 2011) Note: Inter-technology mobility refers to both variants of inter-RAT mobility between LTE-3GPP and inter-technology mobility between LTE-non 3GPP.

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Mobility Management, a Closer Look

The integration between 3GPP and non-3GPP access technologies into the EPC, brings new set of opportunities and challenges relating to mobility support. The primary need for an IP-based system in cellular communications is driven by the convergence between telecommunications and Internet in its aim to deliver the Internet and all its services to the end-users. IP-based cellular system will result in easier and quicker development in integrating multiple access technologies within a single common IP core architecture which contribute to reduced cost of development for operators and freedom to choose any access technology without having to excessively overhaul the existing IP core or an IP core overlay. IP mobility can be adopted to execute inter-mobility standards through various 3GPP specications. The vehicles of IP mobility include MIP, DS-MIP, PMIP support. Mobility management comprise of mechanisms needed to allow wireless devices to move while staying connected to the radio network, whether homogeneous or heterogeneous. In the simpler term, mobility management primarily deals with addressing. Devices with multiple interfaces (e.g. UMTS , Wi-Fi, WiMAX etc.) are becoming commonly available and the set of applications running in the mobile devices is diversifying with some applications run better over 3GPP access networks (e.g. voice) while some applications run better over complementary - access networks (e.g. ftp transfer via Wi-Fi). With transition to 4G mobile communication, it is inevitable for better control over radio resource management (RRM) to complement mobility management methods. It is likely for 3G/4G systems will be characterized by inter-RAT, IP-based architecture to permit the development of high performance handover. The goal of inter-technology mobility is highly focused on support in: IP addressing in IPv4 and IPv6 avors Network-based and host-based handovers Minimized IP core architecture and scalable overlay networks Minimized packet losses during handover Minimized packet delays Through mobility management, the inter access network handover process can be further optimized while facilitating effective ofoad strategies. Typically, horizontal handover coordinate between two homogeneous networks, handover within the same network type, e.g. Wi-Fi to Wi-Fi. Vertical handover is the term that describes two heterogeneous networks e.g. Wi-Fi to UMTS, LTE to UMTS. Handovers in cellular communications typically occurs over data link layer (Layer 2). However, MIP is often used to allow mobility in the packet data domain i.e. IP layer. The support of seamless mobility from one access point to another is fundamental in deployment of next generation wireless networks. The suite of MIP protocol range from MIPv4/v6, DS-MIPv4/v6, FMIP, HMIP. Different avor of MIP is used to suit differing business needs and architectures as deemed t.

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Coverage, Economics, and Differentiation toward Multi-Access Wireless Networking

Support for multiple network technologies and the corresponding multimedia core network functionality in a multi-access, multi-service enviroment.
BTS
GERAN

SGSN/MME

AAA/HSS

NodeB

UTRAN
Rel.8
S12 Direct Tunnel

Rel.6/7 Gn/Gp SGSN Rel.8 S4 SGSN S11 MME Rel.6/7 Direct Tunnel

LTE
eNodeB
E-UTRAN

Internet

IMS

SGW

PGW/ GGSN

Operators IP Service Domain

WiFi/Femto/ Untrusted Network

WiFi/Femto/ Other

ePDG

Figure 1: Migration to Converged 4G Networks Source: Cisco

There are many reasons for operators wanting to effectively manage mobility to drive wireless service to new heights. In the early stage of network build, geographic expansion is necessary. Subsequent to that, operators are seeking to bundle services (e.g. voice, content, high-speed broadband) for broader coverage to leverage on Wi-Fi. Hence, some form of marrying ofoad strategies come into play. In some markets, data demands are already outstripping the operators revenue in excess of backhaul and core network bottlenecks. To ease the capacity constraints and economic trade-offs, operators are turning to operator-owned Wi-Fi hotspots, metro Wi-Fi hotspots, Enterprise Wi-Fi hotspots and home Wi-Fi hotspots to deliver content, broadband and applications. Whether it is 3G, Wi-Fi or LTE, a consistent experience when accessing services, content and the internet is the end-user expectation for ubiquitous coverage disregarding which access network they are using at a given time. The benets of inter-working architecture are clear; however operators need incentive to deploy a new technology with promise of revenues outweighing the investment. Likewise, users should see tangible incentives to pay for greater service commitment. Simply put, the end-user should see a signicant improvement in their user experience. Given a case in scenario, a user can access different services (multiple service ows) such as video call, p2p download and ftp with different QoS concurrently. Based on the operators policies in relation to the application and access network, the routing of IP ows should behave differently. The conversational video call will be routed via 3GPP access, while the delay tolerant, best effort p2p download can be routed through non-3GPP access (e.g. Wi-Fi) in the presence of multiple access networks.

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Upon the user leaving the non-3GPP connectivity due to movement of location (mobility), the IP service ow for p2p download can be triggered to move onto 3GPP access in what is termed as IP ow mobility. (3GPP Release 10 species IP ow mobility). When the user re-enters/enter a location where 3GPP and non-3GPP access is available, the p2p download is moved back onto the non-3GPP access. All the while, the end-user need not suffer from discontinuity of services and/or denial due to congestion without major impact in their pricing plans. In cases where users are willing to pay for premium content, the service commitment is a thrust for operators to retain customers, build loyalty and win back customers through enabling excellent user experience. Operators would like to own both the cellular networks and IP networks, but most dont. The approach in deploying IP-based network architecture is dependent on the exibility of existing infrastructure. In simple mathematical terms, the practicality of deploying IP-based networks should maximize large range and high bandwidth, with minimum cost for the inter-working. Mobile operators see a gap between bandwidth demand and capacity. The forthcoming LTE/EPC architecture is anticipated to bring signicant changes to the access and core networks that emphasize backward compatibility. The key goal of atter, distributed IP architecture is critical to accomplish the convergence and seamless inter-working between heterogeneous wireless networks.

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Mobility Protocols and Standards

Mobile IPv4 was conceived by the IETF and specied in RFC3344 to allow a node within a communication network to continue using its "permanent" home address (HoA) as it moves around the internet. The Mobile IP protocol support transparency above the IP layer. Due to the practicality, technicality and business requirements, MIPv4 is less efcient method of IP data delivery. Mobile IPv6 (RFC3775) introduces mobility support into IPv6. This enables nodes to maintain connectivity while moving around between different access links. Mobile IPv6 makes it possible for nodes to use the same IP address on different connections. Mobile IPv6 is well suited for vertical handover as it is a network layer mobility management (Mobility between IP subnets) that makes it independent of any access technology (link layer). When designing a handover concept for mobile communication network architecture, the split of mobility functionality between IP layer and lower layers must be considered cross layer handover IP based architectures (e.g., link-layer and IP-layer) to ensure session continuity (make-before-break connection management model) when a subscriber moves between networks that are roaming3 agreement specic. From the operators perspective, IP mobility management can be statically congured through network-based controlled handover denition. Dynamic IP mobility conguration can be provided through host-based mobility to devices which lack upper layer mobility support, by setting up IP routes only to the mobile nodes that undergoes handover process. This is intended to give sufcient control to the network to optimize the handover process. When viewed from the end-user, mobility can be interpreted differently. In static mobility, there is zero movement, whereby devices are connected through wired cable. Nomadic mobility is characterized by the access from point to point. In case of continuous mobility, of which is already supported by various mobility protocol makes it possible to be connected and access to network virtually everywhere (only limited by the boundaries of coverage). The 3GPP standards accommodate the use of Mobile IP (MIP) in combination to support efcient inter-technology mobility. Two basic classes of mobility protocols commonly practiced in 3GPP architectures include DS-MIPv6 and PMIPv6 which is intrinsically good t in the migration from IPv4 to IPv6.

Network-based Mobility
Network based mobility protocols; where mobility is network-based all the mobility signaling is performed between the EPS network nodes, while the host-client (i.e. UE) is not involved. The advantage of network-based protocols is that mobility services can be provided to UE that is not mobility aware. It also helps to reduce the amount of signaling and data tunneling overhead on the radio interface. The downside is that the application of these protocols is limited to localized mobility and may be hard to implement. One of the commonly used network-based mobility protocol in 3GPP architecture is Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6).

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Note: Aspects of authentication, authorization and billing of the visiting subscriber, in relevance to the roaming agreement is not discussed in this paper.

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PMIP
Proxy Mobile IP is the network controlled layer 3 mobility protocol that is intended at reducing handover latency. Proxy Mobile IPv6 (PMIPv6) is a network-based mobility management protocol standard that was ratied by the IETF. It uses the same concept of MIPv6, but operates in the network layer. Proxy Mobile IPv6 tries to offer mobility to IPv6 hosts that do not have Mobile IPv6 capability by extending Mobile IPv6 signaling and reusing the home agent (emulating the home network) via a proxy mobility agent. With this approach it is not necessary for the mobile node to participate in the layer 3 mobility signaling. PMIPv6 provides a solution for network-based mobility management that can avoid both tunneling overhead over the air and changes in hosts. On the other hand, PMIP can suffer from high handover latency, if the local mobility anchor is far from the mobility access gateway, thus PMIP is more effectively used in micro mobility management rather than vertical handovers.

Host-based Mobility
Host-based mobility protocols; all the mobility signaling is initiated by the UE. These protocols provide additional features than the network-based mobility protocols and can gracefully handle more complex mobility scenarios. As the signaling and data tunneling are initiated by the UE, there is slight waste of radio resources. There are mechanisms that have been designed to reduce, if not eliminate, the additional overhead brought on by host-based mobility protocols like header compression techniques. A host-based mobility protocol commonly supported is Dual Stack Mobile IPv6 (DSMIPv6).

DSMIP
The motivation for Dual Stack MIP (DSMIP) is apparent in mobile networks, where IPv6 is not yet widely deployed. In such circumstances, mobile nodes will least likely use IPv6 addressing for their connections when they move from IPv4 network to another IPv6 network. DSMIP is designed as access network agnostic, whereby the access network to which a mobile node attaches to have no implications to the operation of the protocol. Case in point, between roaming networks in an all-IP network, the TCP/IP layer-2 (data link layer) protocols like Wi-Fi and UMTS shall operate within the context of an IP layer. The IP layer sits on top of all these access technologies, which means that the protocol that supports mobility in the network is also assumed to be IP based. Unlike traditional link layer handovers (e.g., those in cellular networks) vertical handovers take place in different layers according to the level of integration between the different access technologies. DSMIP provides a mechanism to use tunneling capability to forward both IPv4 and IPv6 trafc over the same MIP tunnel. By means of MIP extensions, the mechanism allows IPv4 and IPv6 HoA (home address(s)) binding to an IPv4 CoA (care-of-address) to continue established connections and maintain the connectivity.

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Greenpacket Smart Mobility

Ideally, a seamless mobility in the context of accomplishing mobile data ofoad solution should provide users with a seamless experience while they use various applications on their devices. It should also make intelligent decisions about keeping data ows on preferred networks (e.g. retain certain trafc such as VoIP, on 3G/LTE even when Wi-Fi is available). In encouraging the adoption of mobile data ofoad, a mechanism to allow seamless handovers between various access networks (3G, LTE and Wi-Fi) are necessary as such from client-based perspective. Within Greenpackets Intouch Connection Management Platform (ICMP), is a comprehensive client-based solution that encompasses inter-working, mobility and ofoading, which is based on the principles of dynamic policy settings to the device, algorithms within the device to detect alternative networks and ability to determine the best possible use of available network. Additionally, the ICMP can be provisioned with preferred hotspots list, that is managed through the Hotspot Manager client to enable operator to retain their subscribers to stay on the network, by giving the higher access priority to the preferred hotspots. The ICMP fundamentally improves device and user management by single-client software that converge multiple network access and executes data ofoading transparently through operator dened rules and operator dened access priorities. Incorporating customizable features and capabilities such as MIP, iWLAN, ANDSF, it further improves security, mobility and user experience through optimized handovers typical in deployment of high growth real-time data services. Therein, lies the strength of ICMP in effectively managing the data ofoading mechanism. The ICMP is context aware with built-in Intelligent Client that is capable of conguring connection policies that selects the best network to connect, ensuring good service quality. The roaming in between networks is transparent to the user. The framework of algorithms and techniques used for improving system selection based on operator preferences and local UE conditions/actions consistently across devices is important. A 3GPP standards compliant client-based solution gives more exibility to operators and OEMs to dene how radios and applications are managed in a multi-radio environment and steer away from proprietary solutions. An apparent strength of the ICMP is the ability to offer consistent service across heterogeneous wireless access networks. By being standards compliant, it provides operators an evolutionary path to 4G inter-working. Operators looking to data ofoad can have the assurance of a robust network and eliminate manual intervention on their subscribers to connect and re-connect when moving between wireless networks. The benet of backhaul capacity optimization can be derived from network operational aspects, as well. From the measure of customer satisfaction, optimized handovers results in fast handovers without causing a noticeable delay and jitter to ensure session continuity.

Access Network Discovery

ANDSF

Seamless Data Ofoad

I-WLAN

Seamless Mobility
Mobile IP

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Figure 2: Greenpacket ICMP

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Putting Mobility Management In Practice

Inter-technology mobility is described in the following scenario to depict service continuity. Using inter-technology mobility, new services can be rolled out network-wide in a scalable manner, which targets the efciency of high trafc areas, by diminishing the effects of network congestion.

New Data Services Through LTE co-exist with UMTS

An operator with a legacy 3G network requires upgrading and evolving its network to LTE. The deployment of LTE will be focused in areas of high trafc areas, to support a new suite of over the top applications to satisfy the demands of subscribers. The operator is conscious in its ambition to cap market position in relation to market dynamics. Although subscribers welcome the new mobile services, they quickly become disenchanted if the promise of service is delivered poorly. Realistically, operators need not delay their network upgrade to bring commercial LTE to service. Previously, the operator would have to wait until the entire network has been upgraded and integrated fully before rolling out its HD video streaming service. If the service is provided on the existing UMTS/HSPA, capacity restrictions would often make it unavailable or perform unacceptably in the busiest parts of the network. The ICMP plays an important role in bringing new services by its intelligent client that is capable of conguring connection policies that selects the best network to connect, ensuring good service quality through ANDSF. With MIP support, the ICMP maintains service continuity when switching between access networks seamlessly. With inter-technology mobility the operator can roll out new services and begin generating revenue as soon as the network hotspots are upgraded gradually to LTE and co-exist with UMTS. Subscribers can access the service throughout the operators coverage area. In low usage areas, the limited capacity of UMTS/HSPA for video streaming is enough to satisfy the performance of the service. In high usage areas, the enhanced bandwidth of LTE would allow a much larger number of subscribers to access the service and/ or a higher quality video stream to be used. It is with inter-technology mobility and inter-working through iWLAN, users of the service can move between these areas seamlessly, without noticing the change in access technology and suffer from service disruption. Greenpackets ICMP provides an end to end effective mobility management to operators to match the network resources they have with the needs of their applications.

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Conclusion
Going forward, mobile operators will continue to evolve their networks to improve the user experience and service opportunities. The promise of 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) specication is capable of delivering 3-4 times the capacity increase to networks. However, the additional bandwidth is more of a by-product of incremental spectrum. By now, many operators realize the nite nature of spectrum. Its clear that operators need more than LTE to resolve network capacity in the immediate term. The adoption of alternative wireless technology to complement the existing network dawns upon several combinations or independent Wi-Fi ofoading schemes, inter-working 3GPP and non-3GPP networks and inter-technology mobility to better manage their resources. As a result, operators are looking for the best mix of solutions to deliver an optimum user experience and an efcient network. In 3GPP Release 10 and beyond, there are on-going study and development for better methods to identify frameworks for ner granularity in aggregation of simultaneous network connections with context awareness. Some considerations of smart mobility to optimize network resources should address aspects like: Fewer network elements towards an all IP based architecture. Better routing capabilities to address growing wireless trafc; localized trafc routing to avoid overload on service providers wireless core network elements. Dynamic mobility concept, whereby mobile node should be served by the nearest localized mobility management function and simplied network to lower the cost of connection. Transport layer/application layer transparency Inter-mobility enhancements in MIP technology to recognize different trafc ows can help shape and manage bandwidth. Notably the desired feature should ideally permit individual IP ows to the same PDN connection to be routed over different access based on network policy; for example, best-effort trafc may be routed over WLAN while QoS-sensitive trafc such as voice telephony may be routed only over the 3GPP network with extension of context awareness. Such features can be characterized at the UE with the ability to move a ow between 3GPP and non-3GPP (e.g. WLAN/Wi-Fi). This can be done through session intelligence through service ow control, and intelligent trafc control to dynamically monitor and control sessions on a per-subscriber/per-ow basis as envisioned in next generation mobility to bring visibility to pricing models. From a commercial perspective, it will bring new promise of ofoading strategies through bundling of data plans onto Wi-Fi/femtocell ofoad without compromising on the operators revenue. Most operators already operate a substantial amount of Wi-Fi hotpots and services that extend onto roaming elsewhere. By complementing multiple access network inter-working (e.g. LTE/UMTS/HSPA/Wi-Fi) with mobility and ofoading, operators can derive more revenues and delay immediate CAPEX investment of LTE, going into next generation networks.

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Manage Your Moves, in Every Network Seamlessly

As a result of new mobile technologies, people are taking their work and connectivity everywhere. We understand the mobility, security and nancial challenges you face. Our solutions empower mobility to your network while simplifying mobility management and controlling costs.

Free Consultation
If you would like a free consultation on how you can manage your mobility needs, and improved network performance, feel free to contact us at marketing.gp@greenpacket.com (kindly quote the reference code SWP0811 when you contact us).

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References
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 3GPP TS_23.261 3GPP TS_23.327 3GPP TS_23.402 3GPP TS_23.861 GSMA PRD IR.88 "LTE Roaming Guidelines" 3.0

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About Green Packet

Greenpacket is the international arm of the Green Packet Berhad group of companies which is listed on the Main Board of the Malaysian Bourse. Founded in San Franciscos Silicon Valley in 2000 and now headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Greenpacket has a presence in 9 countries and is continuously expanding to be near its customers and in readiness for new markets. We are a leading developer of Next Generation Mobile Broadband and Networking Solutions for Telecommunications Operators across the globe. Our mission is to provide seamless and unied platforms for the delivery of user-centric multimedia communications services regardless of the nature and availability of backbone infrastructures. At Greenpacket, we pride ourselves on being constantly at the forefront of technology. Our leading carrier-grade solutions and award-winning consumer devices help Telecommunications Operators open new avenues, meet new demands, and enrich the lifestyles of their subscribers, while forging new relationships. We see a future of limitless freedom in wireless communications and continuously commit to meeting the needs of our customers with leading edge solutions. With product development centers in USA, Shanghai, and Taiwan, we are on the cutting edge of new developments in 4G (particularly WiMAX and LTE), as well as in software advancement. Our leadership position in the Telco industry is further enhanced by our strategic alliances with leading industry players. Additionally, our award-winning WiMAX modems have successfully completed interoperability tests with major WiMAX players and are being used by the worlds largest WiMAX Operators. We are also the leading carrier solutions provider in APAC catering to both 4G and 3G networks. For more information, visit: www.greenpacket.com.

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