Ericsson and BB Mobile show IMS service handover between 3G and WLAN

Ericsson and BB Mobile, a Softbank Group company, have demonstrated the first seamless handover of circuit-switched voice and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) based video services between 3G mobile and wireless local area networks (WLAN).

The live demonstration was carried out over Softbank BB's commercial WLAN network and BB Mobile's WCDMA 3G mobile network operating on the 1.7GHz radio frequency band.

The demonstration shows that consumers will be able to use IMS services as they roam between a mobile network and a WLAN area, interruption free. This ability gives consumers a better and more natural service experience.

Hiroshi Ishihara, General Manager, Regulatory and External Affairs Division, BB Mobile, says the Softbank Group is an innovator and pioneer in the telecom industry. "The success of this demonstration is an important step towards our target to create a society where mobile broadband is a part of ever day life. New mobile communication opportunities and the convergence between broadband services, including our wireless LAN, will provide the most advanced mobility for consumers," he says.

By demonstrating the seamless handover of IMS services, BB Mobile and Ericsson have led the way in taking the Combinational Services Standard (service combinations specified by 3GPP) to the next level. Handover capabilities for combinational services between WCDMA and WLAN networks are being considered for inclusion in 3GPP Release 8.

Mikael Bäck, Ericsson Vice President, WCDMA Radio Networks, is very proud that Ericsson, together with BB Mobile, was the first to demonstrate this handover capability. "I believe that this technology will provide more convenient communication services for consumers, as well as creating opportunities for new revenues for both fixed and mobile operators," he says.

For the demonstration, BB Mobile/Softbank supplied WiFi expertise through its commercial WLAN network. Ericsson provided the 1.7GHz WCDMA radio network, circuit-switched and packet-switched core networks, and the IMS network. The demonstration was held on July 22, at BB Mobile's test site in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Ericsson is shaping the future of Mobile and Broadband Internet communications through its continuous technology leadership. Providing innovative solutions in more than 140 countries, Ericsson is helping to create the most powerful communication companies in the world.

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