Evolution towards UMTS

In the MONET (mobile network) project the future introduction of UMTS (universal mobile telecommunication system) and the evolution of UMTS during the introduction phase are important issues. The paper first presents the possible implementation options: to design UMTS as a complete new network, i.e. a standalone UMTS; to integrate UMTS into existing fixed networks; to integrate UMTS into the second generation mobile systems; to integrate into B-ISDN. The paper discusses the pro´s and con´s of these options for the evolution towards UMTS. MONET has chosen to first design UMTS as part of the B-ISDN, but also to address the possibility to use pre-B-ISDN networks as a backbone network for UMTS. This solution offers the possibility to make a “major leap forward” with respect to second generation systems and it also offers a reasonable solution during the introduction of UMTS (when B-ISDN is not yet worldwide available). Next the status of B-ISDN is shortly discussed as well as the use of IN control principles. Further more the paper addresses the possible evolution towards UMTS