Service Aware Intelligent GGSN , Seminar Reports | PPT | PDF | DOC | Presentation |







                     For many years, mobile network technology – the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) – has been the dominant means of making voice calls when away from home or the office. Today, mobile packet data networks are just starting to be deployed and have yet to be widely adopted. However, there are ambitious hopes for this technology.


World standards bodies, such as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), have defined the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) architecture for second generation GSM, and the packet domain architecture for the Third Generation Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (3G UMTS).1 Unlike telephony, which has been enhanced by numerous revenue-generating supplementary services, such as call transfer, voice mail and the Short Message Service (SMS), packet data transmission provides few supplementary services, making it necessary for operators to earn revenue primarily from basic data transport. Although the standard has defined mechanisms for providing supplementary packet services based on intelligent network architecture and the Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) protocol, their functionality remains limited, particularly when it comes to differentiated charging systems.


In addition, a growing number of service providers are interacting directly with users in a manner that is totally transparent to the network, based on the internet philosophy of locating intelligence at the ends, thereby requiring the minimum of network services. Examples include downloading video and audio clips, games, ring tones, screen savers and MP3 files. The GPRS operator has no part to play and is thus reduced to the role of a simple “pipe” supplier.


The challenge for cellular operators will be to evolve to become suppliers of high added value services. Naturally, mobile operators can offer their own “end-to-end” services. In addition, because of their position as infrastructure managers, they can offer profitable enhancements linked to data transport. The Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) can help mobile packet network operators to achieve this aim.


        The recent emergence in the mobile world of sophisticated, high revenue services using packet transmission has faced operators with a dilemma: whether to remain as simple providers of a means of communication and no longer be able to earn a return on the massive investment required to enhance their infrastructures (particularly for 3G), or to evolve to provide an enhanced transport service yielding additional income. Operators have unique advantages when it comes to the latter approach. The GGSN is the focal point in this evolutionary strategy. Two architectures for implementing these enhancements are compared: the “integrated” approach which combines the GGSN and enhancements in a single device, and the “segregated” approach whereby these enhancements are deployed outside the GGSN in independent equipment.



        Although neither solution is dominant, depending on what enhancements are chosen, there is often a location (inside or outside the GGSN) that is more logical, more natural or provides better performance. Furthermore, the integrated approach may not be well received by operators because it ties their choice of GGSN and enhancements. Considering all the arguments, Alcatel has decided to offer its customers products that satisfy both approaches. Alcatel’s “segregated” approach is based on the EASI integration product. Its “integrated” approach has been produced through a successful partnership with a specialist network systems company. By offering both approaches, Alcatel should be able to respond appropriately to the wide range of requirements of a segmented market, and thus maximize its opportunities for future success.


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