Computer networks (NET-225)
Emerging Technologies – Mobile networking
What is mobile networking?
Mobile networking refers to technology that can support
voice and/or data network connectivity using wireless,
via a radio transmission solution.
A mobile network is a complex web of connected
cellphone tower zones
A mobile network spreads out over an immense land
area around the world, connected wirelessly by
transceivers at fixed locations that are known as cell
sites or base stations.
The most familiar application of mobile networking is
the mobile phone.
What is mobile networking cont’d
In the past, wireless communications predominantly
used circuit switching to carry voice over a network;
however, more recently both voice and data are being
transmitted over both circuit-switched and packet-
switched networks
How Mobile and wireless Networks Differ
Many people think that a mobile network and a
wireless network are one in the same.
While they perform similar functions, they are
completely different networks.
A mobile network is commonly described as a physical
device that can be taken anywhere
It is composed of a battery to provide power and must
have some type of mobile network connectivity in order
for the device to operate in order to send and receive
data without having to attach the device to a hardware
base
How Mobile and wireless Networks Differ
cont’d
In the case of wireless, this does not mean a physical device.
Wireless means having access to a wireless network such as a local
area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), or a 4G/3G cellular
network.
In instances like this, you take what used to connect through a router
and cable and make that connection wireless.
These types of networks still require some type of physical hardware
within close proximity to have a physical connection to a power
supply and a router or network node in order to communicate.
A wireless network provides a fixed or portable endpoint to gain
access to a distributed network.
A mobile network, on the other hand, provides access to the
distributed networks, through a portable device, that allows you to
travel anywhere, as long as there is sufficient coverage.
How Does a Mobile Network Work?
Mobile networks are also known as cellular networks.
They're made up of "cells," which are areas of land that are
typically hexagonal, have at least one transceiver cell tower within
their area, and use various radio frequencies.
These cells connect to one another and to telephone switches or
exchanges.
Cell towers connect to each other to hand off packets of signals —
data, voice, and text messaging — ultimately bringing these signals
to mobile devices such as phones and tablets that act as receivers.
Providers use each others' towers in many areas, creating a
complex web that offers the widest possible network coverage to
subscribers.
Hexagonal cells
Frequencies
Many network subscribers can use mobile networks'
frequencies at the same time.
Cell tower sites and mobile devices manipulate the
frequencies so that they can use low-power
transmitters to supply their services with the least
possible interference.
Generations of mobile networks
First Generation (1G)
The first mobile systems were based on analogue
transmission.
They had a low traffic density of one call per radio
channel, poor voice quality, and they used insecure and
unencrypted transmission, which led to the spoofing of
identities.
Generations of mobile networks cont’d
Second Generation (2G) 1991 ? GSM launch
The second generation of mobile systems was based on
digital transmission with a number of different standards
(GSM, ERMES, CT2, CT3, DCS 1800, DECT).
GSM (Global System for Mobile) communications is the
most popular standard in use today, using 900 MHz and
1800MHz frequency bands.
GSM mobile systems developed digital transmission
using SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) technology to
authenticate a user for identification and billing purposes,
and to encrypt the data to prevent eavesdropping.
Second Generation (2G) cont’d
The transmission uses TDMA (Time Division Multiple
Access) and CDMA One (Code Division Multiple
Access One) techniques to increase the amount of
information transported on the network.
Mobility is supported at layer 2, which prohibits
seamless roaming across heterogeneous access
networks and routing domains.
This means each operator must cover the whole area or
have agreements in place to permit roaming
Second to Third Generation Bridge (2.5G) 2000 ? GPRS launch
The introduction of GPRS is seen as an extra period of
mobile networking development, between 2G and 3G.
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a data service
which enables mobile devices to send and receive e-
mails and picture messages.
It allows very popular operating speeds of up to
115kbit/s, which has been increased to a maximum of
384kbit/s by using EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for
Global Evolution)
Typical GSM data transmission rates reached 9.6kbit/s
Third Generation (3G) 2003 ? First UK 3G launch
The third generation of mobile systems unifies different
mobile technology standards, and uses higher frequency
bands for transmission and Code Division Multiple
Access to deliver data rates of up to 2Mbit/s to support
multimedia services (MMS: voice, video and data).
The European standard is UMTS (Universal Mobile
Telecommunication Systems).
Mobile systems continue to use digital transmission with
SIM authentication for billing systems and for data
encryption.
Data transmission uses a WCDMA (Wideband Code
Division Multiple Access).
Third Generation (3G) cont’d
One technique to achieve data rates between 384kbit/s and
2048kbit/s.
Some 3G suppliers use ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) for
their ?over the air? network with MPLS (Multiprotocol Label
Switching) or IP for their backbone network.
Mobility is still supported at layer 2, and therefore like 2G it still
prohibits seamless roaming across heterogeneous access networks
and routing domains.
The transmission band frequencies are between 1900 and 2200
MHz.
All UMTS license holders in the UK hold a 20 year licence with
the condition that 80% population coverage is achieved by 31
December 2007. The current third generation licensed operators in
the UK can be seen below (as at August 2004).
Fourth Generation (4G) 2007+?
4G service networks improved data connections, making
them faster and better able to provide greater bandwidth
for uses such as streaming.
Latest generation
The latest technology is the 5G network, which promises
even faster speeds and greater bandwidth compared with
4G while reducing interference with other nearby wireless
devices.
Where 4G uses frequencies below 6 GHz, newer 5G
networks use shorter wavelength signals with much higher
frequencies, in the range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz.
These frequencies provide higher bandwidth and allow
signals to be more directional, thus reducing interference.
NOTE
The promise of very high 5G wireless speeds opens the
possibility of replacing traditional wired connections to your
home, such as cable, with a wireless one, thus greatly
expanding the availability of high-speed internet access.
Types of Mobile Networks
The mobile technologies that large mobile service
providers use varies, and mobile devices are built to use
the technology of the intended carrier and region.
The two main mobile technologies in use are Global
System for Mobile communications (GSM), which is an
international standard, and Code Division Multiple
Access (CDMA), owned by Qualcomm (US based).
GSM phones don't work on CDMA networks, and vice
versa.
Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is based on GSM and offers
greater network capacity and speed.
GSM vs. CDMA Mobile Networks
Signal reception, call quality, and speed all depend on many
factors. The user's location, service provider, and equipment all
play a role.
GSM and CDMA don't differ much on quality, but the way they
work does.
From a consumer standpoint, GSM is more convenient because a
GSM phone carries all the customer's data on a removable SIM
card; to change phones, the customer simply swaps the SIM card
into the new GSM phone, and it connects to the provider's GSM
network.
A GSM network must accept any GSM-compliant phone, leaving
consumers quite a bit of freedom over their choices in equipment.
GSM vs. CDMA Mobile Networks cont’d
CDMA phones, on the other hand, aren't as easily
transferred between carriers.
CDMA carriers identify subscribers based on
whitelists, not SIM cards, and only approved phones
are allowed on their networks.
Some CDMA phones have SIM cards, but these are for
the purpose of connecting to LTE networks or for
flexibility when the phone is used outside of the U.S.
Advantages of mobile networks
Location Flexibility
This has enabled users to work from anywhere as long as there is
a connection established. A user can work without being in a
fixed position. Their mobility ensures that they are able to carry
out numerous tasks at the same time and perform their stated
jobs.
Saves Time
The time consumed or wasted while travelling from different
locations or to the office and back, has been slashed. One can
now access all the important documents and files over a secure
channel or portal and work as if they were on their computer. It
has enhanced telecommuting in many companies. It has also
reduced unnecessary incurred expenses.
Advantages of mobile networks cont’d
Enhanced Productivity
Users can work efficiently and effectively from
whichever location they find comfortable. This in turn
enhances their productivity level.
Ease of Research
Research has been made easier, since users earlier were
required to go to the field and search for facts and feed
them back into the system. It has also made it easier for
field officers and researchers to collect and feed data
from wherever they are without making unnecessary
trips to and from the office to the field.
Advantages of mobile networks cont’d
Entertainment
Video and audio recordings can now be streamed on-the-
go using mobile computing. It's easy to access a wide
variety of movies, educational and informative material.
With the improvement and availability of high speed data
connections at considerable cost, one is able to get all the
entertainment they want as they browse the internet for
streamed data.
One is able to watch news, movies, and documentaries
among other entertainment offers over the internet. This
was not possible before mobile computing dawned on the
computing world.
Advantages of mobile networks cont’d
Streamlining of Business Processes
Business processes are now easily available through
secured connections. Looking into security issues,
adequate measures have been put in place to ensure
authentication and authorization of the user accessing the
services.
Some business functions can be run over secure links and
sharing of information between business partners can also
take place.
Meetings, seminars and other informative services can be
conducted using video and voice conferencing. Travel
time and expenditure is also considerably reduced.
Security issues of Mobile networks
Mobile networking has its fair share of security
concerns as any other technology.
Due to its nomadic nature, it's not easy to monitor the
proper usage.
Users might have different intentions on how to utilize
this privilege. Improper and unethical practices such as
hacking, industrial espionage, pirating, online fraud and
malicious destruction are some but few of the problems
experienced by mobile networking.
Security issues of Mobile networks cont’d
Another big problem plaguing mobile computing is
credential verification.
As other users share username and passwords, it poses as a
major threat to security. This being a very sensitive issue,
most companies are very reluctant to implement mobile
computing to the dangers of misrepresentation.
The problem of identity theft is very difficult to contain or
eradicate.
Issues with unauthorized access to data and information by
hackers, is also an enormous problem. Outsiders gain access
to steal vital data from companies, which is a major
hindrance in rolling out mobile computing services.
Questions