Multipoint Communications in a Beyond-3G Internetwork

Abstract

We consider the problem of supporting IPbased quasi-reliable mobile multipoint communications in a Beyond-3G internetwork which combines the current Internet (including all connected home users and wired or wireless LANs) with the soon-to-be-deployed 3G networks and the future digital broadcast networks. We summarize existing IETF protocols such as IP multicast, Mobile IP, and Cellular IP, which we believe help in solving the problem. We refer to filtering techniques useful for delivering media to mobile users. We discuss the Mobile IP and IP multicast constraints as well as their interoperability problems, and we present existing alternatives. We also offer our own perspective by outlining requirements for future mobile multicast protocols; by describing fundamentals of the mobile multicast problem; by mentioning our own approach to the problem, which involves IETF protocols and current trends; and by presenting the Beyond-3G internetwork we envisage