Efficient UMTS data service provision using Infostations

Abstract

This paper presents an extension to the proposal for a small discontinuous data cell known as Infostations. By increasing the data rates which can be supported in certain areas, Infostations offers the possibility of cheap data service provision. This paper examines the effect of discontinuous coverage on capacity, and proposes the concept of a logical Infostation which controls a number of radio ports connected by a DQDB subnetwork. Advantages of this architecture are indicated and its relationship to existing proposals such as GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and mobile IP are studied. Furthermore, the integration of such a system into a future UMTS with particular emphasis an issues such as registration, authentication and billing are discussed.