UMA Today Magazine: Services Delivered Page 19

SPRING 2007

UMA ToDAY

InTRoDUcInG UMA InTo MobILE nETWoRKS

Adding UMA to existing

networks is not a major undertaking for mobile operators. UMA essentially defines a new
radio access network (RAN). Like GSM/GPRS/EDGE (GERAN) and UMTS (UTRAN) RANs,
a UMA access network leverages well-defined, standard interfaces into an operator's
existing circuit and packet core networks for service delivery.

But while GSM or UMTS RANs utilize expensive private backhaul circuits, as well as

costly base stations and licensed spectrum for wireless coverage, a UMA access network
enables operators to leverage their subscribers' existing broadband access connections
for backhaul, as well as inexpensive WLAN access points and unlicensed spectrum for
wireless coverage.

UMA, IMS &
MobILE nETWoRK
EVoLUTIon

UMA will play a key role in what we've been calling mobile/mobile
convergence. The combination of big-cell (RAn) and small-cell
(Wi-Fi) technologies into a single transparent service has major
benefits for carriers (more capacity for both voice and data),
enterprises (less infrastructure to buy and maintain) and end users
(improved coverage, reliability, voice capacity and data throughput).

craig Mathias, principal analyst with the Farpoint Group

When evaluating a new 3GPP standard like UMA, operators must determine how well it

fits with other network evolution initiatives, including: UMTS; soft MSCs; IMS data services;
and eventually the transition to IMS telephony. Let's look at today's mobile network and
evaluate how UMA interoperates with these other concurrent technology investments.