Optimization of the handover algorithm based on the position of the mobile terminals

Position location of mobile terminals is expected to be one of the key services for mobile network operators in the near future. A variety of services may be offered, such as emergency-call assistance, fleet management, location-based value added services, navigation, stolen vehicle monitoring, improved network management and differential billing. Currently, network suppliers and research institutes worldwide are trying to conclude on the integration of positioning techniques, that fulfils related FCC and ETSI localization requirements, without exaggerating network costs. Furthermore, the rapidly increasing number of mobile subscribers in addition to the introduction of new circuit/packet-based data services, will cause serious traffic overload in cellular networks. Handover procedures use the signaling resources of the network and this is one of the system's parameters that has to be optimized. We propose an intelligent algorithm that makes use of the user's location to simplify the procedure and results in a stable system, decreasing the signaling congestion and the call-drop probability.