The Comparison between WLAN and Femtocell

Network Convergence and Interworking

A network convergence refers to using a single interface and a single backbone network for a variety of telecommunication services, for example, voice, video and data. Provisioning of multiple services by means of a network convergence has shown benefits for businesses in terms of cost and user productivity. The concept of network convergence evolved through a circuit switched Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and gradually migrated to the Packet Switched networks, initially, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) based broadband ISDN, and ultimately IP based Internet. The main objective of advancing in the network convergence is to achieve an IP convergence in the form of All IP Networks (AIPNs). The AIPNs not only provide data, video and voice services over a single IP network but also facilitate connectivity to other external networks (Frizer, 2011).

In this way, users can achieve ubiquitous connectivity independent of devices and locations. The Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) is a popular trend in market and allows seamless connectivity between fixed and mobile telephone networks. Service providers can bring all potential wireless and wired users under their realm over such integrated environment which also provides users with the benefits of a ubiquitous connectivity. Using the same concept, the OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) is converging WPAN (Wireless Personal Area Networks) and cellular Networks as the Converged Personal Network Services (CPNS). The basic infrastructure of the CPNS is proposed to connect several WPAN devices to a mobile phone, which in turn is connected to cellular system. In this sense, a mobile phone acts as a gateway between the WPAN and cellular Network.