Radio resource control for GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN)-inter radio access technology and inter-mode procedures

The 3GPP Release 5 will specify a GSM/EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) which can connect to 3G mobile core network (CN) through the Iu interface. The new architecture implies significant modifications to the GERAN radio protocols. This paper focuses on radio resource control (RRC) procedures, especially on the new defined inter radio access technology procedures between GERAN Iu mode and UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) or inter-mode procedures between GERAN Iu mode to GERAN A/Gb mode in Release 5.