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Introduction

Traditional intelligence in mobile networks consists of technologies such as SS7, INAP, CAMEL, WIN, GSM MAP, and ANSI-41. Mobile networks are evolving beyond traditional network intelligence to an expanded view of what it means to have an Intelligent Mobile Network.

This expanded view takes into account the fact that intelligence is becoming more distributed throughout the network. In fact, the very definition of the "network" is challenged as intelligence and control is distributing to mobile communications devices as well as the Internet. The definition of the intelligent mobile network therefore takes into account that there are various sources of network and service control including Service Control Points and other traditional network nodes, mobile communications devices and embedded software, smart cards, Internet servers and intelligent agents, and other areas.

Networks as a whole are becoming more intelligent as advanced technologies such as smart antennas and intelligent BSS/OSS systems are deployed to provide greater efficiencies and more effective network operations. Next generation networks of the near future will leverage all of these technologies in conjunction with traditional network intelligence for more efficient and effective operations as well as the provision of advanced and value-added services.

Research

Mobile in Minute papers

Next Generation Networks

3G and Beyond

Third generation (3G) mobile network systems are poised to provide always-on capabilities at high data rates, allowing for advanced services that are yet thought of by most people. While many at present question the economic viability of 3G, still others are planning fourth generation networks that will have still faster data rates. The future is sure to include many advanced mobile data and multi-media services that today may seem to some as unnecessary as voice mail seemed to early mobile users.

Open Services Architecture

The notion of an Open Services Architecture (OSA) carries with it the belief that the network must be opened up to easy third party service creation and/or management. OSA is enabled by technologies such as JAIN and Parlay to facilitate access to core network resources in a secure and controlled manner that enables third parties to conceivably provide a variety of services as yet unseen in any mobile network.

Softswitches and Distributed Network Intelligence

Softswitches are those that do not require that all network control reside in the switch, allowing for the distribution of intelligence throughout the network, and as a direct benefit, for operators to benefit from more low-cost switching infrastructure. Softswitch technology allows switches to do what they do best - switch voice and data - rather than be encumbered with additional network routing and control functionality, which may best reside in other locations.

IN/IP Convergence

The intelligent network (IN) and Internet protocol (IP) technologies are converging in a variety of ways including the use of IP for transmission of voice - voice over IP (VoIP) - for more cost effective transport of voice communications. In addition, efforts are underway to allow intelligence in public switched networks to interface and interact with intelligence in IP based networks, and in so doing, provide greater overall intelligence.

In an independent but related effort, work is underway within the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to define capabilities for hybrid IN + IP networks. One such hybrid is referred to by the IETF as PINT, which stands for PSTN (Public Switched Telecommunications Network) and Internet Interworking. The motivation for PINT is to allow Internet subscribers to add traditional IN related telephony functions. The idea is to have traditional network capabilities and services accessible and useable by Internet users.

Another hybrid is the converse of PINT. SPIRIT stands for Services in the PSTN/IN Requesting Internet Services. The desire for SPIRIT is to augment IN services with IP capabilities. Therefore, the goal is to make Internet based content and applications accessible and useable by traditional network users.

Another effort involves the integration of IN with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). This integration - SIN - will allow for more flexible service control options than could be afforded through either technology by itself.

Internet Servers and Intelligent Network Control from the Internet

OSA and IN/IP integration leads to the notion that network and service control will no longer reside solely within the public switched mobile network, but will instead exist in Internet servers as well. This will allow for most anyone, with appropriate business arrangements, and limited resources, to develop and deploy services in a rapid and cost effective manner.

Next Generation Network Signaling

While next generation networks will include new protocols and signaling mechanisms in support of IP based telephony, traditional signaling methods utilizing SS7 will continue to play a key role as the glue that holds circuit and packet networks together.

Intelligent OSS/BSS Systems

Next generation networks of the future will require advanced operational support systems (OSS) and business support systems (BSS) to support the new technologies and related needs such as more flexible customer data management and billing. It is therefore important to recognize that intelligence is not regulated to the real-time processing environment alone.

Intelligent Transport and Routing

IN systems have long been used for intelligent call routing. With the expanded view of network intelligence, it is important to note that intelligent transport is not limited to the mobile network itself. Technologies such as Multi-protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is poised to dramatically improve the ability for IP networks to scale to be able to support the anticipated wide array of mobile data devices and users. Mobile IP technology shall also improve to the point in which users may take advantage of various mobile devices with seamless data and voice services and unified messaging.

Location Aware Systems

Through the proliferation of various location determination and management technologies, mobile network systems as a whole will become more location aware of mobile users, allowing for advanced and value-added applications as well as improved monitoring of network resources and customer behaviors.

Embedded Software and Smart Cards

While part of the next generation network of the future, it is important to note that embedded software (such as Java) and smart cards (such as GSM STK) are in use today. However, their role will expand as intelligence is distributed through the network, including the mobile devices themselves who will be called upon to provide various independent and autonomous operations as well as interact and support the core network service control and applications.

Intelligent Agent Technology

Another key area of the next generation network is intelligent agent technology, which is expected to support various value-added service capabilities such as the ability to support advanced customer preference and profile information. The role of intelligent agents is to dynamically and autonomously act on behalf of the wants and needs of the mobile user relative to interaction and control of applications, services and content located on the Internet. Intelligent agent technology will most likely reside on the Internet and in embedded software and smart cards, but most be able to interact and cooperate with other forms of network intelligence for maximum performance and benefit.

Smart Antenna Systems

Smart antennas are an excellent example of improved network intelligence that does not directly involve services or service control. Instead, smart antennas provide improved network control for optimal utilization of radio frequency assets.

Advanced and Value-added Services and Personalization

Perhaps the most important reason for deploying and operating intelligent mobile networks is to provide advanced and value-added services.

Personalization

Personalization may be provided in many ways, including personal profiles and intelligent agents, ad hoc and personal area networks, location services, and presence and availability related services such as instant messaging. The most important point to note is that personalization technologies allow the mobile operator to directly support the wants and needs of individual users, providing a customized approach for differentiation.

Personal Profiles and Intelligent Agents

May argue that most currently deployed mobile data services suffer from lack of personalization. One way to personalize services is to make them personal preference driven. Personal profiles enable the user to specific what type of data and when it is important to receive. In addition, intelligent agents can monitor usage to learn and/or predict what type of information and content the user will most likely desire.

Ad Hoc Networking and Personal Area Networks

Technologies such as Bluetooth allow for Personal Area Networks (PAN) and the ability to engage in wireless communications in an ad hoc basis. In addition to creating a convenient means of personal wireless communications, this technology has significant implications for various applications including mobile commerce and location based services.

Location Services

The ability to pinpoint the location of mobile users provides the ability to offer a variety of location-based services such as location-based billing, information, emergency, and tracking services. Location also enhances other value-added applications such as mobile gaming, mobile chat/messaging, and friend finder services. As next generation networks evolve, location will become a part of most every call and data session.

Presence and Availability

Closely related to location, presence provides information about the general whereabouts of a mobile user while availability indicates the user's ability to engage in communications such as mobile chat. Next generation mobile networks will be presence, device, and privilege aware systems, capable of determining when and where users wish to engage in various types of communications.

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Books about: Intelligent Networks and Next Generation Networks