Policy based end-to-end service control framework beyond 3G mobile network

Service control is the ability of the user, home environment or serving environment to determine what a particular service does, for a specific invocation of that service, within the limitations of that service. The paper concentrates on the opportunities for service control in beyond third generation (B3G) networks. In particular, the focus is on all-IP networks. The subject is covered in three parts. First, the forthcoming new changes and requirements on service architecture and service control for B3G networks are discussed. Second, the paper proposes a novel service control framework and describes how it is being pursued for service control in B3G. Finally, a policy based end-to-end service control mechanism is discussed.