Frédéric DELMOND France Télécom R&D

1. Nomadic users :mobility management in next generation networksITU-T Workshop on NGN – July 9-10, 2003 Frédéric DELMOND France Télécom R&D

2. Contents • Introduction • Requirements to support nomadic users in NGN • Where the network can add value • Technical challenges for mobility management in NGN • Synergy with mobile networks • Conclusions

3. PSTN (dial-up), etc. … … … 2G/3G Mobile networks xDSL WLAN Public environment Hotspots in public places Introduction … … … Video on demand Contents on the Web Multimédia Calls (VoIP) Which users ? • Nomadic: No active service session while on the move • Mobile: service sessions can be kept active while moving (hand-overs) ISP Service Providers IP Backbone What do they expect ? • consistent service presentation and execution, whatever the access network point • enhanced services, aware of the current user environment (e.g. location, bit rate) Home

4. Global requirements to support nomadic users • An extensive range of access networks and terminals • users are already proposed xDSL, WLAN, 3G mobile, etc. in addition to narrow-band access • users already have PCs, laptops, PDA, handsets, etc. • Nomadism should be supported across heterogeneous environments • Global users in the network & in the services • enable a single user to be recognised across various access types • enable a consistent service experience when users move

5. 2G/3G mobile access … … … WLAN xDSL Hotspots in public places User Subscription • OK ? User access control • Allowed / banned access Home Minimum requirements to support nomadic users Who ?  user identification + authentication  Identify the user separatly from the access Where ?  user location management  Retrieve where the user is located, over which access he’s connected … … … Hand-overs Contents on the Web Video on demand ISP Multimédia Calls (VoIP) Services User ID & Authentic. User location Access Control PSTN (dial-up)

6. xDSL WLAN access network Additional requirements to support nomadic users • Enhanced services for nomadic users • Virtual Home Environment concept : • users should experience consistent service execution • services should be adapted to the current user situation in real-time • VHE enablers: • know more about the user environment • Access network + Terminal capabilities • know more about the user preferences • General user preferences • User configuration for the access service • Presence and availability management

7. Where can the network add value ? • Where several services and applications require similar components • Mutualisation of functions at the control layer • avoid redundant developments within applications and services • Design generic functions at the network control layer they should be re-usable for any type of services: • Web-based, VoIP, streaming services, etc. • Examples are: • User Identification and authentication • User access control

8. Where can the network add value ? • Where network operators have a distinctive advantage • They have a unique and detailed knowledge of their access network • Network topology and access location • Access capabilities in real-time • Extract information available in the protocols within the control or transfer plane • Examples are : • User location can be guaranteed by network operators • geographic or network-based information • Information on user environment • access networks and user subscription constraints

9. Technical challenges for mobility management in NGN • User Identification, Authentication and Authorization are closely related • Basic mandatory functions in mobility management • Technical issues: • How to provide a simple & secure interface to users ? • SSO, enhanced authentication schemes • How to enable the operator to be a trusted 3d party ? • interactions to be defined with services & applications • Access control: • how does this function depend on the user ?

10. Technical challenges for mobility management in NGN • How to handle data related to user location and user environment ? • Information needed for VHE and enhanced services • Ensure that protocols used in the signaling path conveys enough information • e.g. access identification, access type, terminal type, etc. • Provide a view of active access sessions in real-time • allow services and application to retrieve user access data • e.g. user location, max. bit rate available • notify of user IP connectivity = “network presence” • easier presence management at application level

11. Technical challenges for mobility management in NGN • A consistent and global approach for user profile is needed • Services, applications and Mobility management functions rely on user data • User profile is composed of • “dynamic data” • values change as users move • e.g. user location, bitrate available, user presence, etc. • “static data” • values does not change as users move • e.g. service subscription, user preferences, etc. • How to retrieve any user data in a simple manner ?

12. Synergy with mobile networks ? • How to handle nomadism across fixed and mobile access ? • Example 1 : • develop MM functions for fixed access … … and mobile network are used as a simple access means. • Users are handled by these MM functions whatever the access • Example 2 : • develop MM functions for fixed access … … users rely on mobile network MM when using a mobile access • Develop specific coordination between mobile and fixed network • In any case, the realization of VHE requires that • consistent interfaces with users and with services whatever the access, fixed or mobile

13. Conclusions • Mobility management is a key feature in next generation networks • A variety of access types & terminals are proposed to users in NGNs. • Support of nomadic users • Enhanced services, adaptable to the current user environment (VHE) • Standardisation activities for mobility management in NGN • ensure a “global user” approach, independent of a specific access technology • define a reference architecture and network functions required to support nomadic users • define required interfaces for these functions in the control layer • with the terminals, with the application layer, with the transfer plane