UMTS. The mobile part of broadband communications for the next century

This paper outlines the path from the developing broadband ISDN/ATM systems towards the European vision of the next generation mobile system UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). The capabilities of UMTS, in terms of services and features compared to the network technologies behind N-ISDN and B-ISDN, are discussed with proposals for technical developments to satisfy the UMTS requirements. The UMTS requirements within the network for control, switching and transport to support the mobility, service and interconnecting network aspects of UMTS are outlined. Furthermore an analysis of the technical solutions currently under discussion and some latest thoughts on a potential high level architecture are presented.