TCP and GSM link layer interactions: implications for the wireless Internet

The demand for wireless access to the Internet has grown rapidly making the performance of TCP in wireless environments an important issue. We present experimental measurements of the performance of TCP over GSM. The measurements were captured over a real GSM network connected to a controlled radio environment. A range of radio conditions were considered with a focus on the interaction between TCP and the GSM link layer. Even for very poor radio conditions, only neglible negative interaction effects were found.