Future mobile requirements for IP routing and ATM switching

Today´s telecommunication networks are at an important cross-roads in trying to determine the future switching and routing technology to use. Currently the predominant technology used is N*64 kbit/s switching and transmission. Already we have started to see the embryonic introduction of ATM and even more so of Internet (IP). In the middle of this debate then comes UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), targeted to be delivered round the year 2002/2005, which will be reliant on one or more of these transport technologies. Additionally, of course, UMTS with its inherent mobility needs, will introduce new requirements across the whole system level, including transport. Currently neither ATM nor IP fully support the identified transport criteria for UMTS. The paper explains these requirements and discusses the weaknesses and strengths of both IP and ATM in view of fully supporting UMTS