Performance of Cellular IP Access Networks

Recent initiatives to add mobility to the Internet and packet data services to third generation cellular systems are being considered by emerging mobile service providers as possible candidate solutions for the delivery of IP data to mobile users. Both these two candidates have a number of shortcomings, however. Mobile IP represents a simple and scalable global mobility solution but is not appropriate to support fast and seamless hando control. In contrast, third generation cellular systems o er smooth mobility support but are built on complex networking infrastructure that lacks the exibility o ered by IP-based solutions. In this paper we present an experimental evaluation of Cellular IP that represents a `third way' combining the strengths of both approaches without inheriting their weaknesses. Cellular IP combines the capability of cellular networks to provide smooth fast hando and e cient location management of active and idle mobile users with the inherent exibility, robustness and scalability found in IP networks.