Enabling mobile operators to embrace the cost and performance advantages of Wi-Fi.
At the request of mobile operators around the world, 3GPP (the international organization responsible for developing and maintaining technical specifications for 2G, 3G and 4G mobile networks) developed the Generic Access Network (or GAN) standard.
Originally ratified into 3GPP Release 6, the GAN specification defines how all mobile service (voice, SMS, MMS, RCS-e, IMS,…) can be securely transported over generic (and untrusted) IP access networks like DSL and cable.
The GAN standard defines a network element called the GAN Controller (or GAN-C), which is deployed in the mobile operator's network.
On one side, the GAN-C connects to an existing mobile core network as a standard RNC, through the well-defined core network interfaces. On the other side, the GAN-C connects to broadband IP access networks (e.g. the Internet).
The interface between the GAN-C and a device (smartphone) with the GAN application software over the Internet is referred to as the "Up" interface. The Up interface is at the heart of the GAN standard and provides a secure, scalable method for transporting mobile signaling and bearer traffic over the Internet.
