P38/1
Comparison of MPLS- and IP-based Transport in Future RANs
Under Varying QoS Requirements
René Böringer1, Andreas Mitschele-Thiel1, Markus Bauer2, Michael Söllner2
1. Technical University of Ilmenau; {r.boeringer | mitsch}@tu-ilmenau.de
2. LucentTechnologies, Nürnberg; {mgbauer | msoellner}@lucent.com
Abstract
The paper provides a proposal for an MPLS-based transport network for future Radio Access Networks
(RANs) and compares this with a regular IP-based transport network. Our MPLS-based approach takes into
account the specific needs of current and future RANs especially with respect to QoS requirements and
flexibility. In the paper we compare the MPLS-based solution with a regular IP-based network. Our
simulation studies based on an extension of the network simulator 2 show that MPLS is able to fulfill the
requirements of future RANs and vastly outperforms a regular IP-based solution. MPLS is able to deliver
very stable figures for delay, jitter and packet loss even if the traffic mix within the network changes, which
is not the case for an IP-based radio access network.
1. Introduction
The UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) has inherited network elements, functions and the
network structure from the 2nd generation of mobile networks, in particular from the Global System for
Mobile Communication (GSM). GSM was designed to provide circuit-switched and voice-oriented services.
Later, the system has been enhanced to support packet-data services. However, the system has been proven
suboptimal with respect to IP services, which will be the dominating services in all public mobile networks
including cellular networks like UMTS in the near future. In addition, the equipment currently used is ruled
by ATM and in part especially built for the UMTS system. This specialization is often quoted as a cause for
high prices for the network elements and components. In addition, the use of ATM prevents mobile operators
to benefit from the dynamic evolution of the IP world