An overview of cellular IP

A number of initiatives to add mobility to the Internet and packet data services to third generation cellular systems are being considered by emerging mobile service providers as possible candidate solutions for the delivery of IP data to mobile users. Both of these two candidates have a number of shortcomings, however. Mobile IP represents a simple and scalable global mobility solution but is not appropriate in support of fast and seamless handoff control. In contrast, third generation cellular systems offer smooth mobility support but are built on complex networking infrastructure that lacks the flexibility offered by IP-based solutions. In this paper we present an overview of cellular IP which represents a `third way´ combining the strengths of bath approaches without inheriting their weaknesses. Cellular IP combines the capability of cellular networks to provide smooth fast handoff and efficient location management of active and idle mobile users with the inherent flexibility, robustness and scalability found in IP networks