Convergence Technologies for 3G Networks describes the evolution from cellular to a converged network that integrates traditional telecommunications and the technology of the Internet. In particular, the authors address the application of both IP and ATM technologies to a cellular environment, including IP telephony protocols, the use of ATM/AAL2 and the new AAL2 signalling protocol for voice/multimedia and data transport as well as the future of the UMTS network in UMTS Release 5/6 All-IP architecture.

Convergence Technologies for 3G Networks:

• Explains the operation and integration of GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, CDMA2000, IP, and ATM.
• Provides practical examples of 3G connection scenarios.
• Uses live captures from 3G networks.
• Describes signalling flows and protocol stacks.
• Covers IP and ATM as used in a 3G context.
• Addresses issues of QoS and real-time application support.
• Includes IP/SS7 internetworking and IP softswitching.
• Discusses the use of Voice over IP and SIP in UMTS.
• Outlines the architecture of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) for UMTS.

This highly accessible reference is suited for professionals from the telecommunications, data communications and computer networking industries.

About the Author
Dr. Jeffrey Bannister is a co-founder and Telecommunications Specialist at Orbitage. A native of Ireland, he received his Ph.D. in Telecommunications/High-Speed electronics from Trinity College in Dublin. He has over 15 years of experience, and holds an internationally recognized teaching qualifications. Jeffrey has also been a lecturer, research fellow and course developer with the Dublin Institute of Technology, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore, and Trinity College in Dublin, as well as providing consultation to a number of companies in Europe and Asia. He has been living in Malaysia for the past 5 years.

Mr. Paul Mather is a co-founder of Orbitage and has been located in the ASEAN region for the last seven year, during which time he has been involved in course development, training and consultancy for a number of companies. Prior to his relocation from Blackpool, UK, he worked for a British college, where he was engaged as both a lecturer in Information Engineering and as the computer network manager. As a certified internal verifier of vocational qualifications, he has comprehensive experience in delivery, assessment and development of a variety of IT and Communication programs. He is credited with establishing the first Novel Educational Academic Partnership in the ASEAN region. In an industrial context, he has worked in the IT and Communications fields for over 18 years, this work has taken him to many countries as well as various oil and gas platforms in the North Sea.

Mr. Sebastian Coope is an IP/Software Specialist at Orbitage. From a small village called Bollington near Manchester originally, he received his Masters in Data Communications and Networking from Leeds Metropolitan University. He has worked in a wide range of roles as software engineer development and project manager, as well as consultant in the fields of network security and management. He has also worked as lecturer and consultant at both Temasek Polytechnic Singapore and the University of Staffordshire. At Orbitage he has led the team responsible for the development of mobile application products. He is also co-author of Computer Systems (Coope, Cowley and Willis), a university text on computer architecture.