Alliance delivers IP-based mobile network solution

9 May 2001 Telecoms, Datacoms, Wireless, IoT

IP-based mobile networks are fast becoming a reality thanks to a solution jointly developed by Sun Microsystems and Lucent Technologies.

"In a country where hype generally exceeds delivery, it is vitally important to deliver business offerings for enterprises, ISPs, application service providers and other carriers that will speed delivery of next-generation electronic business services," says Lodewyk de Beer, Senior Systems Engineer, focusing on wireless and mobile at Sun Microsystems SA.

Sun Microsystems and Lucent have developed IP-based mobile network architecture for 3G networks. The system supports IP services on an industry-standard, open computing platform.

"The mobile Internet in 3G wireless networks requires unsurpassed computational power, along with reliability we are accustomed to from the PSTN. Sun is therefore constantly building new partnerships to deliver continuous realtime access and make 'Webtone' more reliable than dialtone," says de Beer.

Lucent offers a 'highly reliable' mobile Internet infrastructure for 3G, with all its associated benefits of cost-effective, industry standard IP technology. Commenting on Webtone, de Beer says ultimately Sun is striving to create a communication environment that is as reliable and as integrated as the plain old telephone system (POTS).

"We are endeavouring to create an environment that will support not just e-commerce and information service, but new electronic business models evolving in the industry, combining all the hardware components and all the software components in a cohesive unit.

"We call it Webtone switch, making it as tightly integrated as a telephone switch. This is the key to building a never-say-die network."

Sun and Lucent's IP-based mobile network architecture is based on highly scaleable and low-priced industry-standard computing elements. It operates on one standard platform, one operating environment and one network management system. This leads to uniformity and lower operational costs in hardware, software and maintenance.

For further information contact Elise Roscoe, Sun Microsystems SA, (011) 256 6300.

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