What is UMA Technology ??

UMA is the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) global standard for subscriber access to mobile circuit, packet and IMS-based services over any IP-based access network, including the Internet. With UMA, mobile operators can now leverage the cost and performance advantages of IP access technologies (DSL, Cable, Wi-Fi...) to deliver high-quality, low-cost mobile voice and data services in the locations where subscribers spend most of their time - the home and office.

To enable access to the mobile service core via IP-based networks, the UMA standard defines a new core network element (the UMA Network Controller (UNC)) and associated protocols that provide for the secure transport of mobile signaling and user plane traffic over IP. The UNC interfaces into the core network via existing 3GPP specified interfaces.

Fundamentally, UMA provides a standard, scalable, secure IP interface into the core service network of mobile operators. By deploying a UMA Network Controller (UNC), mobile operators can extend all existing and future circuit, packet and IMS-based services over any IP-based access network, including the Internet. While initially developed to enable dual-mode cellular/Wi-Fi handset services, the UMA standard can be leveraged to deliver a number of compelling new fixed-mobile convergence services.

Below is the history of UMA technology development :

The 3GPP UMA standard was born from the requirements of mobile and integrated operators to deliver high-performance, low-cost mobile voice and data services to subscribers at home and the office. UMA has proven to be the ideal standard for mobile and integrated operators to extend circuit, packet and IMS services over the public Internet and continues to evolve to meet the needs of mobile and integrated operators worldwide.

When UMA meet LTE

By Steve Shaw, Kineto Wireless

Long Term Evolution (LTE) may be closer than we think. LTE, the name for the mobile community’s next-generation broadband IP access network, evokes images of a distant, foreign land. Yet a report released by ABI Research in June 2008 projected 32 million subscribers will be using the technology by 2013, a mere five years from now.

As an access network, LTE holds the promise of a true ‘mobile internet’, a native packet access network with peak data rates in excess of 100 mbps. In an all-IP mobile world, what is the role dual-mode Wi-Fi handset services based on UMA technology?

As a backdrop, UMA is about delivery of mobile services provided by the core network (circuit, packet, IMS) over broadband IP access networks and Wi-Fi. It enables mobile operators to leverage the cost and performance advantages of the Internet to make mobile services work better and cost less where subscribers spend most of their time, at home and in the office.

When considering whether UMA is competitive or complementary to an LTE macro network, it is important to understand the underlying benefits of UMA in dual-mode handset services. From an operator’s perspective, there are three clear benefits:

• Offload the macro RAN (Radio Access Network)
• Improve the performance of mobile services indoors
• Create new ‘home zone’ services

The macro mobile network offers unbelievable opportunity for service delivery. But there are practical economic and service advantages in leveraging an in-building radio network in conjunction with an LTE deployment.

The ability to offload traffic to a broadband network, improve the performance of mobile services indoors, and create new, differentiated home zone services is even more important given the characteristics of LTE.

UMA-based home zone services, is a pragmatic, proven mechanism for mobile operators to extend their circuit, packet and IMS services onto the fixed broadband IP network. It’s clear that UMA provides the perfect complement to tomorrow’s LTE networks.