9.1 Vision of UMTS

The vision of UMTS is to build a mobile wireless system that is access independent and provides personalized services that are accessible from anywhere at any time via different devices. The network architecture allowed for a clear separation of the access network from the core. This enables different types of radio access networks to be developed independently of the core network. At present two types of access networks have been standardized for UMTS networks: UTRAN, which is based on wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), and GERAN (GSM/EDGE radio access network), which is based on TDMA and is an evolution of GSM. Other access networks in the future could include satellite, wireless LAN, and many others accessing a common core. UMTS packet core improvements make the core network and the operator service machinery totally access independent. The change is invisible to the end user , but it enables the operator to use a common packet core with any access technology.

The operator benefit comes from the fact that the single core investment is shared with many clients and its operation is easier. A common end-user wish is to receive calls on the mobile terminal when moving and on a higher-bandwidth device or terminal when at home or plugged into the wired network. Core and service network access independence is clearly an essential enabling feature to make such a session handover possible in addition to the radio access handover we have today.

UMTS also takes the first step in emphasizing services. The wireless network is intended to be only an enabler that allows subscribers to access many different types of services. 3G networks are expected to fill society's needs for access to information and entertainment in an increasingly mobile world.

The third-generation partnership project (3GPP), which is responsible for UMTS standardization, also has a vision of moving to all IP networks. This means that the access network as well as the core will be essentially packet switched networks. Services that fall in both the real-time as well as the non-real -time realms will be run over packet switched networks.