Networks Integration between Wireless LAN and UMTS Networks– A Brief Study

Abstract

This paper presents a brief study on issues associated with network integration between wireless LAN (WLAN) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) networks. Network integration of WLAN and UMTS networks is an area that requires continuous research attention. It gives service providers the opportunity to offer additional services such as “always on service” on their heterogeneous networks for the benefit of their subscribers and for overall Quality of service improvement of the networks. Since heterogeneous networks are involved, vertical handoff (VHO) has an important role to play in achieving seamless data mobility in the next generation networks. Issues and problems of VHO have to be adequately studied and addressed if both the service providers and their subscribers should get satisfactory results such integrations. In this paper therefore, we presented an overview study of handoff management in mobile communication networks, vertical handoff requirements and the different types of network integration. Our study shows that loosely-coupled architecture of network integration far outweighs that of the tightly-coupled architecture of network integration except under a critical and specified conditions. We therefore proposed that loosely-coupled architecture should always be considered first for network integrations where ever possible. It is hoped that critical issues of loosely-coupled architecture such as network Quality of service, security, and latency will be addressed in future works.