On the adoption of WLAN for capacity improvement of 3G networks using the multi-access framework

With the increasing demand for data services over the cellular networks, their operators are faced with the issue of providing the requested capacities while maintaining the service quality levels. Multi-access networks can be a cost effective way of raising those capacities, as it provides means to aggregate radio resources from the adopted radio access technologies (RAT) involved. This work tries to clarify the capacity gains concerning the usage of the WLAN 802.11 a in addition to the UTRAN, while employing the multi-access framework as the enabling technology. This evaluation is based on a dynamic system-level multi-access simulator, comprised of a good and detailed level of the modeling concerning the involved technologies and concepts. Considering the used assumptions and modeling, it is shown that capacity gains of up to approximately 380% can be achieved with the WLAN employment.