Mobility management in the third generation mobile network

The paper discusses the requirements for the mobility protocol of the-third generation mobile network. The mobility protocol is used to transfer subscriber data between network elements and it forms the basis for roaming. A modular network design is proposed where mobility is managed independently of the access and backbone networks. The GSM MAP protocol is found to provide a firm basis for evolution towards such a platform. New GSM features involving development of MAP are described and directions for further mobile application protocol (MAP) development are identified. The intelligent network is envisaged to be a corresponding platform for providing operator specific services.