Access network discovery and selection in the evolved 3GPP multi‐access system architecture

Abstract The system architecture evolution (SAE) of mobile networks specified in 3GPP release 8 comprises an evolved packet core (EPC) network to which different types of access networks can be connected. Inter‐system mobility management enables users to change the access network while maintaining ongoing data sessions. One important functionality in a 3GPP system is how a mobile terminal discovers and selects available access networks. In this paper we describe the access network discovery and selection functionality used in 3GPP release 8; we explain the differences of the methods applied for 3GPP access networks (GERAN, UTRAN, E‐UTRAN), for fixed or wireless non‐3GPP access networks (e.g. WLAN, WiMAX), as well as the optimisation used for CDMA2000 access networks. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.