Multi RAB-based multimedia services over GERAN mobile networks

The feasibility and the performance of a wide set of innovative multimedia services within the near future evolution of GSM/EDGE mobile networks (GERAN) have been investigated in this paper. Packet Video Telephony (PVT), Push to Talk (PtT), Push to Watch (PtW) and Video Sharing (VS) have been considered. PVT, PtT and PtW have been analyzed within the GERAN packet switched domain, whilst VS has been considered as a component of a multi Radio Access Bearer (RAB) service requiring both a circuit and a packet switched connection. QoS constraints in terms of network latency, bandwidth, capacity and packet loss ratio have been examined in detail. The end-toend performance has been derived by both simulations and measurements. The experimental activity has been carried out with an enhanced real implementation of a GERAN Release 4/5 compatible network. Both GERAN network design rules and dimensioning guidelines have been outlined as ultimate result from the activity.