Ericsson and BB Mobile, a division of Japan’s Softbank Group, announced the first seamless handover of circuit-switched voice and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) based video services between 3G mobile and wireless local area networks (WLAN). The live demonstration was carried out over Softbank BB’s commercial WLAN network and BB Mobile’s WCDMA 3G mobile network operating on the 1.7GHz radio frequency band. BB Mobile/Softbank supplied WiFi expertise through its commercial WLAN network. Ericsson provided the 1.7GHz WCDMA radio network, circuit-switched and packet-switched core networks, and the IMS network. The demonstration was held on July 22, at BB Mobile’s test site in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
Ericsson noted that handover capabilities for combinational services between WCDMA and WLAN networks are being considered for inclusion in 3GPP Release 8.
“The success of this demonstration is an important step towards our target to create a society where mobile broadband is a part of ever day life. New mobile communication opportunities and the convergence between broadband services, including our wireless LAN, will provide the most advanced mobility for consumers,” said Hiroshi Ishihara, General Manager, Regulatory and External Affairs Division, BB Mobile.
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