Optimized Traffic Breakout and Mobility Support for WLAN and Cellular Converging Network

Abstract

In order to cope with the traffic exploding, operators are looking for offloading solutions which can efficiently offload high-volume Internet traffic from not only mobile access but also mobile core network. WLAN requires no expensive network planning and leverages unlicensed spectrum to add capacity. To expand the reach of revenue-generating services and applications, operators can make use of already-existing WLAN networks. The paper presents a new product concept of Wireless Access Broker (WAB) as well as the innovation solution on how to provide network-based IP flow mobility support and Internet traffic breakout. In contrast with current solutions, this new solution enables the legacy UE to support selective IP flow offloading to the WLAN network. Unlike the IFOM solution defined in 3GPP, our solution does not require the UE to install DSMIPv6 stack and related interacting module. Serving as a breakout point, WAB enables the Internet traffic directly bypass through the fixed access network while bringing no effect on other network elements.