3G DIRECT TUNNEL

There are constant improvements in 3G service & application of various technologies such as High Speed Packet Access etc, with these kind of developments, the Processing power of the bulk of the user traffic (User Plane i.e. GTP-U) must be improved in the PS N/W to handle the increasing user demands. In the past, the GTP-U tunnels were set up btn the RNC & SGSN, & btn SGSN & GGSN. i.e, two tunnels. User Plane: (Two Tunnel) RNC===( GTP-U, Iu-U)===SGSN===(GTP-U, Gn)===GGSN. With this setup, if processing capability of GTP-U is to be upgraded, it will be in RNC, SGSN, & GGSN. This is costly to operators. With this in mind, the 3GPP, presents the direct tunnel (3G-DT) solution where one GTP-U tunnel btn the RNC & GGSN is used instead of the two. Therefore SGSN doesn't forward GTP-U traffic. User Plane: (One Tunnel) RNC===( GTP-U, Iu-U)=== GGSN With this design, Upgrades on GTP-U are only necessary in RNC & GGSN thus majorly reducing costs on side of operator. On the side of subscribers there is improved latency & hence user experience as number of hops to the internet for User plane traffic is reduced. 3G-DT is a Win/Win for both Operator & Subscriber and is worth giving a try For many PS Networks!. NOTE: 3G-DT doesn't apply to roamers! #PerfectionIsANorm!