Kineto Wireless announced an updated version of its IP-Based UMA Network Controller (IP-UNC) featuring simplified subscriber management and lower overall capital and operational costs. New features include:
- AAA-based Service Management — 3GPP, the GSM standards body, went to great lengths to specify a proven method for operators to authenticate UMA subscribers. However, the standard did not specify a method for operators to define, provision, and enforce UMA service policies. For example, an operator may wish to limit UMA access to subscribers with specific mobile service plans or to specific Wi-Fi locations such as a home or office. To meet this need, Kineto IP-UNC Release 2 introduces an open, flexible, Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA)-based approach to UMA service management. With this feature, operators can leverage existing AAA servers and customer databases to quickly and easily define and provision UMA service policies.
- Virtual UNC Capability — The virtual UNC capability enables a single IP-UNC to represent itself as many UMA network controllers to the mobile core network. As a result, a single Kineto IP-UNC can now support UMA service delivery from up to sixty-four separate Mobile Switching Centers (MSCs), enabling nationwide UMA service delivery from a centralized IP-UNC. In addition, the IP-UNC supports multi-vendor, multi-generational (example Release 99 and Release 4 MSCs) switching environments. The virtual UNC capability dramatically lowers the capital and operational costs and reduces deployment complexity as operators no longer need to deploy a UNC for each MSC.
- Distributed Deployment — IP-UNC Release 2 also enables operators logically separate UNC functions and distribute them to locations in their network that make the most technical and economic sense. For example, operators can deploy the IP-UNC security function at the edge of the network in the same location as their internet POPs. A logical place to deploy the IP-UNC media function is in local switching centers alongside operators’ MSCs. The IP-UNC control function, however, can be centrally deployed in national data centers. When combined with the virtual UNC capabilities, this distributed deployment functionality enables large scale UMA service deployments from a low number of centralized control sites. In addition, operators can now move lower-cost media gateways closer to MSCs to switch traffic locally, thus saving on expensive long-distance backhaul facilities.
Separately, Kineto has broadened the capabilities of its UMA client software product to support the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) version of the UMA specification known as Generic Access Network (GAN). Kineto’s product is now fully compatible with both the original UMA specification and the 3GPP GAN standard. The Kineto Client Software has been adapted to multiple platforms to date, including Philips Electronics’ Nexperia UMA reference design. The Kineto Client Software is available for licensing by terminal adapter and platform vendors.
In addition, Cisco Systems and Kineto completed their first end-to-end UMA-based phone call utilizing UMA-security features, a milestone in their collaboration to enhance access control and security of UMA deployments for mobile and integrated operators. The companies have performed a range of interoperability and scalability testing between Cisco’s AAA solution, Cisco Access Registrar (CAR) and the Kineto UMA Network Controller (UNC) to meet the demands of nationwide UMA service deployments. Cisco Access Registrar, already widely deployed by cellular, Wi-Fi and mobility service providers, has a series of UMA specific features designed in conjunction with clients and partners for location service, EAP-SIM authentication and fraud prevention. The companies are also working to enhance the security of UMA-enabled mobile devices accessing the operator’s core network.
Kineto said it is actively involved in UMA evaluations and trials with more than 25 major operators worldwide.
To date, the four largest global handset suppliers — Samsung, LG Electronics, Motorola, and Nokia — as well as wireless infrastructure suppliers — Nokia, Motorola, Alcatel, and Ericsson — have announced their intent to deliver UMA solutions to the market. http://www.kineto.com
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How UMA Enables Broadband IMS |
| Originally developed by 15 leading companies in the mobile industry, Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) is now the 3GPP standard for enabling subscriber access to mobile services over Wi-Fi and broadband IP networks. The UMA standard effectively creates a parallel radio access network – the UMA Network (UMAN) that interfaces to the mobile core network using existing GSM-defined standard interfaces. This solution uses IP tunneling techniques to transparently extend mobile voice, data, and IMS services over IP access networks. Here is an overview of UMA. |
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