GSM/WLAN Authentication Gateways

Performance Technologies offers an industry-leading, open-standard solution for interconnecting Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) and cellular networks that support GSM. This innovative wireless solution enables users to access the Internet at true broadband speeds, up to 11Mbs, while authentication and billing occurs in conjunction with their regular GSM cellular accounts. The GSM Signaling Platform provides the critical interface to carrier SS7 networks to ensure secure validation message processing.

Highlights

• New revenue potential for existing GSM carriers
• Cost savings and speed-to-market
• Carrier-grade reliability
• Distributed software architecture
• Network-proven redundant solutions
• Exceptionally scalable
• Easily configurable

How Does it Work?

This solution is an industry first — a simple, standards-based means for providing seamless high speed Internet service to GSM customers who can take advantage of their existing billing infrastructure and network authentication to be billed for this service. Carriers or WLAN roaming brokers provide access to LAN network "hot spots" in airports, hotels or other high traffic areas, usually through agreements with site owners (Wireless Internet Service Providers or WISPs) who can provide high speed Internet service.

The carriers make available to each prospective customer a small application software solution, either directly or through Web-based downloading capability. The site owner has a similar software solution loaded onto their application server to ensure that International Mobile Subscriber Identifiers (IMSI) can be transported to the appropriate carrier database for authentication and validation, so service can be immediately made available to a customer.

The carrier installs a pair of redundant carrier-grade GSM Signaling Platforms in its SS7 network that accept IP network-originated authentication messages, translate to SS7 queries then route to validation databases in appropriate carrier-designated locations. Alternatively, they can use WLAN roaming brokers who have installed this equipment. Each site owner also communicates with a carrier billing server using GSM standards-based application software to ensure billing data is regularly and securely delivered to the carrier. The customer simply boots his computer at a designated "hot spot," a validation query using his GSM IMSI is initiated then validated, and the service is immediately provided.

Simple for Both Customer and Operator

To use this end-to-end solution, the end user needs a laptop that supports the widely accepted 802.11b standard protocol, either built-in or as a separate card, as well as application software. The GSM Signaling Platform translates IP network-originated validation queries into SS7 network queries that access databases for GSM accounts authentication. The connection is simple, transparent and reliable for both customers and operators. Once the subscriber is authenticated, the Internet session begins and is charged to the subscriber's account. The authentication, authorization, encryption, billing, mobility and management are all GSM-compliant.

Billing from a Single Source

For those who use laptops and PDAs when traveling, the opportunity to obtain hassle free, reliable and secure high speed data access is extremely attractive. But the many different access networks and inconsistently applied billing approaches have made today's service availability frustrating to users. This solution from Performance Technologies makes high speed data access from alternate locations as easy as using a cellular phone.

Instead of being provided by independent and diverse service providers, wireless operators with large customer bases can now bring a consistently applied service offering to their current subscribers. Carriers can independently, or through WLAN roaming brokers, use off-the-shelf hardware, high speed access with the 802.11b standard, the flexibility of GPRS-GSM protocols and their own SS7 networks to offer a service to customers without major changes to their existing operating infrastructure. To those operators developing 3G networks, this solution offers them a chance to provide customers high speed Internet access now, in advance of the implementation of next-generation networks.