Mobile Access Network Technologies
3G and 4G Mobile Radio Networks

The main reason for 3G systems application it is the tendency of worldwide standard, which can provide convergence of the wired and mobile networks. The idea lies in elimination of 2G systems incompatibility by using of existing wired and mobile networks infrastructure. We expect, that system should be global, which could be achieved by using enhanced cellular system. All types of networks (satellite – global coverage, terrestrial – macro-, micro- and picocell) will be covered by mentioned 3G system [27], [28].

The development of UMTS standard tended to such a solution, that revolution tendency of UMTS network development was abandoned. Evolution steps from 2G to 3G systems were preferred, especially the use of a high developed GSM standard [30], [31], [27]. There were three crucial decision accepted with creation of infrastructure:

Because the GSM standard is widespread global world standard of 2G networks, in the first step it is expected to use a connection of UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) to existing but newly regenerated core GSM network. That means that GSM network will serve users of both technological standards in parallel. Radio subsystem of GSM network and UTRA network will work as two different, but cooperating and subsidiary access networks in generic network infrastructure, which can be regarded as GSM and also UMTS core network. The difference between them lies in the modernization of the some nodes of GSM network for UMTS network. In the second step the core network will be changed to IP network. 3G network architecture is on Figure below.

In different prognosis of 2G to 3G networks evolution, there exists standard, which is often marked as intermediate step between GSM and IMT-2000 networks – standard EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution). EDGE belongs to 3G standards, but on the contrary to UMTS standard, it needs essentially minor changes in radio access network and core network. For this reason, EDGE represents a simpler solution for operators of existing GSM networks. The EDGE actually represents 2nd generation of HSCSD and GPRS systems. This standard is not able to provide transfer rates up to 2 Mbps. The advantage of this standard lies in its simpler application without requirement to change the infrastructure. For this reason a lot of operators consider IMT-2000 like ideal standard for newly built 3G networks.

The 4th generation of mobile communication systems (4G) probably won’t be based on the creation of a new standard, because it is clear, that neither 2G nor 3G networks were successful in enforcing the worldwide global standard. The main motive for building a 4G system, which is often called as system beyond 3G (B3G), will be probably tendency of economic success based on users’ requirements for new and advanced services with high security and reliability. Also, there will be a tendency for budget-priced and easy terminals with long lifetime of batteries.

G3 network architecture