Generic Access Network

Generic Access Network (GAN) is a protocol that extends mobile voice, data and multimedia (IP
Multimedia Subsystem/Session Initiation Protocol (IMS/SIP)) applications over IP networks. Unlicensed
Mobile Access (UMA) is the commercial name used by mobile carriers for external IP access into their
core networks. The latest generation system is named Wi-Fi Calling or VoWiFi by a number of handset
manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, a move that is being mirrored by carriers like T-Mobile
US and Vodafone. The service is dependent on IMS, IPsec and ePDG.

Essentially, GAN allows cell phone packets to be forwarded to a network access point over the internet,
rather than over-the-air using GSM/GPRS, UMTS or similar. A separate device known as a "GAN
Controller" (GANC) receives this data from the Internet and feeds it into the phone network as if it were
coming from an antenna on a tower. Calls can be placed from or received to the handset as if it were
connected over-the-air directly to the GANC's point of presence. The system is essentially invisible to the
network as a whole, GAN is used to allow UMA-compatible mobile phones to use WiFi networks to
connect calls, in place of conventional cell towers. This can be useful in locations with poor cell coverage
where some other form of internet access is available, especially at the home or office. The system offers
seamless handoff, so the user can move from cell to WiFi and back again with the same invisibility that
the cell network offers when moving from tower to tower.

Since the GAN system works over the internet, a UMA-capable handset can connect to their service
provider from any location with internet access. This is particularly useful for travellers, who can connect
to their provider's GANC and make calls into their home service area from anywhere in the world. This is
subject to the quality of the internet connection, however, and may not work well over limited bandwidth
or long-latency connections. To improve quality of service in the home or office, some providers also
supply a specially programmed wireless access point that prioritizes UMA packets.

Contents
History
Modes of operation
Advantages
Disadvantages
Service deployments
UMA/GAN Beyond Dual-mode
Similar technologies
Devices
Routers
See also
References
External links
History
UMA was developed by a group of operator and vendor companies.[1] The initial specifications were
published on 2 September 2004. The companies then contributed the specifications to the 3rd Generation
Partnership Project (3GPP) as part of 3GPP work item "Generic Access to A/Gb interfaces". On 8 April
2005, 3GPP approved specifications for Generic Access to A/Gb interfaces for 3GPP Release 6 and
renamed the system to GAN. [2][3] But the term GAN is little known outside the 3GPP community, and
the term UMA is more common in marketing.

Modes of operation
The original Release 6 GAN specification supported a 2G (A/Gb) connection from the GANC into the
mobile core network (MSC/GSN). Today all commercial GAN dual-mode handset deployments are
based on a 2G connection and all GAN enabled devices are dual-mode 2G/Wi-Fi. The specification,
though, defined support for multimode handset operation. Therefore, 3G/2G/Wi-Fi handsets are
supported in the standard. The first 3G/UMA devices were announced in the second half of 2008.

A typical UMA/GAN handset will have four modes of operation:

GERAN-only: uses only cellular networks

GERAN-preferred: uses cellular networks if available, otherwise the 802.11 radio
GAN-preferred: uses an 802.11 connection if an access point is in range, otherwise the
cellular network
GAN-only: uses only the 802.11 connection
In all cases, the handset scans for GSM cells when it first turns on, to determine its location area. This
allows the carrier to route the call to the nearest GANC, set the correct rate plan, and comply with
existing roaming agreements.

At the end of 2007, the GAN specification was enhanced to support 3G (Iu) interfaces from the GANC to
the mobile core network (MSC/GSN). This native 3G interface can be used for dual-mode handset as
well as 3G femtocell service delivery. The GAN release 8 documentation describes these new
capabilities.

Advantages
For carriers:

Instead of erecting expensive base stations to cover dead zones, GAN allows carriers to
add coverage using low-cost 802.11 access points. Subscribers at home have very good
coverage.
In addition, GAN relieves congestion (meaning that networks can, through GAN, essentially
piggyback on other infrastructure) on the GSM or UMTS spectrum by removing common
types of calls and routing them to the operator via the relatively low-cost Internet
GAN makes sense for network operators that also offer Internet services. Operators can
leverage sales of one to promote the other, and can bill both to each customer.
Some other operators also run networks of 802.11 hotspots, such as T-Mobile. They can
leverage these hotspots to create more capacity and provide better coverage in populous
areas.
 The carrier does not pay for much of the service, the party who provides the Internet and
Wi-Fi connection pays for a connection to the Internet, effectively paying the expensive part
of routing calls from the subscriber. However, carriers typically do not pass on these savings
in the form of lower bills to customers who use Wi-Fi for calls.
For subscribers:

Subscribers do not rely on their operator's ability to roll out towers and coverage, allowing
them to fix some types of coverage dead zones (such as in the home or workplace)
themselves.
The cheaper rates for 802.11 use, coupled with better coverage at home, make more
affordable and practical the use of cellphones instead of land lines.
Using IP over 802.11 eliminates expensive charges when roaming outside a carrier's
network.
GAN is currently the only commercial technology available that combines GSM and 802.11
into a service that uses a single number, a single handset, a single set of services and a
single phone directory for all calls.
GAN can migrate between IP and cellular coverage and is thus seamless; in contrast, calls
via third-party VOIP plus a data phone are dropped when leaving high-volume data
coverage.

Disadvantages
Subscribers must upgrade to Wi-Fi/UMA enabled handsets to take advantage of the
service.
Calls may be more prone to disconnect when the handset transitions from Wi-Fi to the
standard wireless service and vice versa (because the handset moved out or within the Wi-
Fi's range). How much this is a problem may vary based on which handset is used.
The UMA may use different frequency that is more prone to some types of interference
Some setup may be required to provide connection settings (such as authentication details)
before advantages may be experienced. This may take time for subscribers and require
additional support to be provided. The costs of support may be for more than the wireless
phone company: network administrators may be asked to help a user enter appropriate
settings into a phone (that the network administrator may know little about).
The phones that support multiple signals (both the UMA/Wi-Fi and the type of signal used
by the provider's towers) may be more expensive, particularly to manufacture, due to
additional circuitry/components required
This uses the resources of the network providing the Wi-Fi signal (and any indirect network
that is then utilized when that network is used). Bandwidth is used up. Some types of
network traffic (like DNS and IPsec-encrypted) need to be permitted by the network, so a
decision to support this may impose some requirement(s) regarding the network's security
(firewall) rules.
Using GAN/UMA on a mobile requires the WiFi module to be enabled. This in turn drains
the battery faster, and reduces both the talk time and standby time when compared to
disabling GAN/UMA (and in turn WiFi).

Service deployments
The first service launch was BT with BT Fusion in the autumn of 2005. The service is based on pre-
3GPP GAN standard technology. Initially, BT Fusion used UMA over Bluetooth with phones from
Motorola. From January 2007, it used UMA over 802.11 with phones from Nokia, Motorola and
Samsung[4] and was branded as a "Wi-Fi mobile service". BT has since discontinued the service.

On August 28, 2006, TeliaSonera was the first to launch an 802.11 based UMA service called "Home
Free".[5] The service started in Denmark but no longer offered.

On September 25, 2006 Orange announced its "Unik service", also known as Signal Boost in the
UK.[6][7] However this service is no longer available to new customers in the UK.[8] The announcement,
the largest to date, covers more than 60m of Orange's mobile subscribers in the UK, France, Poland,
Spain and the Netherlands.

Cincinnati Bell announced the first UMA deployment in the United States.[9] The service, originally
called CB Home Run, allows users to transfer seamlessly from the Cincinnati Bell cellular network to a
home wireless network or to Cincinnati Bell's WiFi HotSpots. It has since been rebranded as Fusion
WiFi.

This was followed shortly by T-Mobile US on June 27, 2007.[10] T-Mobile's service, originally named
"Hotspot Calling", and rebranded to "Wi-Fi Calling" in 2009, allows users to seamlessly transfer from the
T-Mobile cellular network to an 802.11x wireless network or T-Mobile HotSpot in the United States.

In Canada, both Fido and Rogers Wireless launched UMA plans under the names UNO and Rogers
Home Calling Zone (later rebranded Talkspot, and subsequently rebranded again as Wi-Fi Calling),
respectively, on May 6, 2008.[11]

In Australia, GAN has been implemented by Vodafone, Optus and Telstra.[12]

Since 10th April 2015, Wi-Fi Calling has been available for customers of EE in the UK initially on the
Nokia Lumia 640 and Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge handsets.[13]

In March 2016, Vodafone Netherlands launched Wi-Fi Calling support along with VoLTE.[14]

Since the Autumn of 2016, Wifi Calling / Voice over Wifi has been available for customers of Telenor
Denmark, including the ability to do handover to and from the 4G (VoLTE) network. This is available for
several Samsung and Apple handsets.

AT&T[15] and Verizon[16] are going to launch Wi-Fi calling in 2015.

Industry organisation UMA Today tracks all operator activities and handset development.

In September 2015, South African cellular network Cell C launched WiFi Calling on its South African
network.[17]

UMA/GAN Beyond Dual-mode

While UMA is nearly always associated with dual-mode GSM/Wi-Fi services, it is actually a ‘generic’
access network technology that provides a generic method for extending the services and applications in
an operator's mobile core (voice, data, IMS) over IP and the public Internet.

GAN defines a secure, managed connection from the mobile core (GANC) to different devices/access
points over IP.
 Femtocells: The GAN standard is currently used to provide a secure, managed,
standardized interface from a femtocell to the mobile core network. Recently Kineto, NEC
and Motorola issued a joint proposal to the 3GPP work group studying femtocells (also
known as ‘Home Node B's or HNB) to propose GAN as the basis for that standard.
Analog terminal adaptors (ATAs): T-Mobile US once offered a fixed-line VoIP service called
@Home.[18] Similar to Vonage, consumers can port their fixed phone number to T-Mobile.
Then T-Mobile associates that number with an analog telephone adapter. The consumer
plugs the ATA into a home broadband network and begins receiving calls to the fixed
number over the IP access network. The service was discontinued in 2010, however earlier
subscribers were "grandfathered" in.[19]
Mobile VoIP client: Consumers have started to use telephony interfaces on their PCs.
Applications offer a low-cost, convenient way to access telephony services while traveling.
Now mobile operators can offer a similar service with a UMA-enabled mobile VoIP client.
Developed by Vitendo, the client provides a mirror interface to a subscriber's existing mobile
service. For the mobile operator, services can now be extended to a PC/laptop, and they
can give consumers another way to use their mobile service.

Similar technologies
GAN/UMA is not the first system to allow the use of unlicensed spectrum to connect handsets to a GSM
network. The GIP/IWP standard for DECT provides similar functionality, but requires a more direct
connection to the GSM network from the base station. While dual-mode DECT/GSM phones have
appeared, these have generally been functionally cordless phones with a GSM handset built-in (or vice
versa, depending on your point of view), rather than phones implementing DECT/GIP, due to the lack of
suitable infrastructure to hook DECT base-stations supporting GIP to GSM networks on an ad-hoc
basis.[20]

GAN/UMA's ability to use the Internet to provide the "last mile" connection to the GSM network solves
the major issue that DECT/GIP has faced. Had GIP emerged as a practical standard, the low power usage
of DECT technology when idle would have been an advantage compared to GAN.

There is nothing preventing an operator from deploying micro- and pico-cells that use towers that
connect with the home network over the Internet. Several companies have developed femtocell systems
that do precisely that, broadcasting a "real" GSM or UMTS signal, bypassing the need for special
handsets that require 802.11 technology. In theory, such systems are more universal, and again require
lower power than 802.11, but their legality will vary depending on the jurisdiction, and will require the
cooperation of the operator. Further, users may be charged at higher cell phone rates, even though they
are paying for the DSL or other network that ultimately carries their traffic; in contrast, GAN/UMA
providers charge reduced rates when making calls off the providers cellular phone network.

Devices
Apple – iPhone 5C, iPhone 5S, and newer devices with iOS 8 or later.[21]
BlackBerry – Curve 8320, 8520, 8820, Curve 8900, Pearl 8120 and 8220, Bold 9700, Bold
9780, Torch 9800, Blackberry 9105, 9300, Blackberry Bold 9900 with OS 7.1[22]
Google Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel
HTC – Touch 3G,[23] T-Mobile Shadow 2009, T-Mobile myTouch 4G (sometimes called the
myTouch HD),[24] T-Mobile G2 (as of build 1.22.531.8 OTA update), Desire S,[25] Wildfire S,
Sensation 4G, Amaze 4G, HTC One, HTC One S
 Huawei – U8651T[26]
LG – KE 520, KF 757 (3G), GT505, Optimus One,[27] LG Optimus Me
Motorola – DEFY,[28] Z6w
Nokia[29] – 6300i, 6301, 6301b, 6086, 6136, 7510, E73 Mode, E5, C7 Astound, Lumia
521,[30] Lumia 925[31], Nokia 1 and other low-cost handsets once WiFi calling is enabled, if
necessary via a free third-party 'App'
Sagem – my419X
Samsung[32] – SGH-T339, SGH-T409, SGH-T709, SGH-T739 (Katalyst), T336, P250,
P260, P270 (3G), T-Mobile's Galaxy S SGH-T959, Galaxy SII SGH-T989, Orange Galaxy
SII with NFC (GT-i9100P), T-Mobile's Galaxy S4 SGH-M919 and Galaxy S7 SM-G930T
Sony Ericsson – G705u (3G)

Routers
Linksys WRT54G series#WRT54G-TM
Westell – UltraVoice UMA Terminal Adapter with Router

See also
IEEE 802.21
IEEE 802.11r
IEEE 802.11u
MOIP
VoWLAN

References
1. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20081228140446/http://www.umatoday.com/li
nks.php). Archived from the original (http://www.umatoday.com/links.php) on 2008-12-28.
Retrieved 2008-12-31.
2. TS 43.318 (ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/Specs/archive/43_series/43.318/)
3. TS 44.318 (ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/Specs/archive/44_series/44.318/)
4. The Register:BT Fusion goes Wi-Fi (https://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/08/bt_fusion_wif
i/)
5. Home Free (http://telia.dk/privat/produkter/homefree)
6. Unik in France (http://www.unik.orange.fr)
7. Unik in the UK (http://www.orange.co.uk/unique/)
8. "About Signal Boost from Orange" (http://ee.co.uk/help/mobile-and-home-connections/chec
king-and-improving-your-network-coverage/signal-boost/about-signal-boost). EE. Retrieved
December 27, 2014.
9. CB Home Run Integrates Mobile Phone and Wireless Internet For Improved Indoor
Reception (http://www.cincinnatibell.com/aboutus/news/articles/news.asp?page=20070618.
asp)
10. T-Mobile Introduces Unlimited Calling Over Wi-Fi With the National Launch of T-Mobile
HotSpot @Home (http://www.t-mobile.com/company/PressReleases_Article.aspx?assetNa
me=Prs_Prs_20070627&title=T-Mobile%20Introduces%20Unlimited%20Calling%20Over%2
0Wi-Fi%20With%20the%20National%20Launch%20of%20T-Mobile%20HotSpot%20@Hom
e)
11. CNW Group Fido's home and mobile calling are now 'UNO' with one phone, one number
and one bill (http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2008/06/c5578.html/)
12. "Wireless carrier support and features for iPhone in Asia-Pacific" (https://support.apple.com/
en-au/HT203982). Apple Support. Retrieved 2018-12-24.
13. "EE Launches Wifi Calling to Make Calls and Texts Available in Every Home" (http://ee.co.u
k/our-company/newsroom/2015/04/07/ee-launches-wifi-calling-to-make-calls-and-texts-avail
able-in-every-home). EE. April 7, 2015.
14. "Ericsson and Vodafone deploy first cloud-based VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling in the
Netherlands – Ericsson" (https://www.ericsson.com/news/1993653) (Press release).
Ericsson. 11 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2017.
15. Greg Kumparak (2014-09-12). "AT&T To Get iPhone 6-Friendly Wi-Fi Calling In 2015" (http
s://techcrunch.com/2014/09/12/att-wifi-calling-2015/). TechCrunch. Retrieved 2014-09-14.
16. Phil Goldstein (September 17, 2014). "Verizon Wireless plans to launch Wi-Fi calling in mid-
2015" (http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizon-wireless-plans-launch-wi-fi-calling-mid-2
015/2014-09-17). FierceWireless. Retrieved September 19, 2014.
17. "CELL C LAUNCHES COMMERCIAL WI-FI CALLING" (https://www.cellc.co.za/cellc/newsr
oom-detail/CELL-C-LAUNCHES-COMMERCIAL-WI-FI-CALLING). Retrieved April 27, 2017.
18. "T Mobile @Home" (https://web.archive.org/web/20180724211836/http://www.t-mobileatho
me.com/). Archived from the original (http://www.t-mobileathome.com/) on 2018-07-24.
Retrieved 2019-12-25.
19. T Mobile @Home discontinued (https://www.engadget.com/2010/01/12/t-mobile-killing-hots
pot-home-service-softly/)
20. DECT Web DECT/GSM DUAL MODE and the advent of the ONEPHONE SERVICE (http://
www.dectweb.com/News&Views/Features/9906Dectweb.htm)
21. "Make a call with Wi-Fi Calling – Apple Support" (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT20303
2). Apple. 2015-09-21. Retrieved 2015-10-02.
22. Leaked BlackBerry 9900 ROM adds Wi-Fi Hotspot, Wi-Fi calling features (http://www.afterd
awn.com/news/article.cfm/2011/11/27/leaked_blackberry_9900_rom_adds_wi-fi_hotspot_wi
-fi_calling_features)
23. [1] (http://www.smart-wi-fi.com/mobileHandsetsHTCTouch3G.php)
24. "T-Mobile Extends Wi-Fi Calling to Android Smartphones (Press Release)" (https://web.arch
ive.org/web/20101205150033/http://press.t-mobile.com/articles/t-mobile-android-wifi-
calling). Archived from the original (http://press.t-mobile.com/articles/t-mobile-android-wifi-c
alling) on 2010-12-05. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
25. Orange Launch the HTC Desire S with Signal Boost (UMA) (http://www.store-orange.co.uk/
orange-htc-desire-s.html)
26. "Archived copy" (https://web.archive.org/web/20130426024450/http://www.huaweidevice.co
m/worldwide/productFeatures.do?pinfoId=3403&directoryId=6001&treeId=3745&tab=0).
Archived from the original (http://www.huaweidevice.com/worldwide/productFeatures.do?pin
foId=3403&directoryId=6001&treeId=3745&tab=0) on 2013-04-26. Retrieved 2013-05-23.
27. Orange launch the LG Optimus One with UMA (http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/index.p
hp/orange-launch-the-lg-optimus-one-with-um)
28. "T-Mobile Extends Wi-Fi Calling to Android Smartphones (Press Release)" (https://web.arch
ive.org/web/20101205150033/http://press.t-mobile.com/articles/t-mobile-android-wifi-
calling). Archived from the original (http://press.t-mobile.com/articles/t-mobile-android-wifi-c
alling) on 2010-12-05. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
29. http://reviews.ebay.com/T-Mobile-HotSpot-amp-Home-Phones-UMA-Updated-30-05-10?
ugid=10000000008431233
30. http://www.tmonews.com/2013/05/t-mobile-announces-retail-availability-for-lumia-521-wi-fi-
calling-and-all/
31. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7e3wlYglZI
32. http://reviews.ebay.com/T-Mobile-HotSpot-amp-Home-Phones-UMA-Updated-30-05-10?
ugid=10000000008431233

External links
3GPP GAN Specification 43.318 (http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/43318.htm),
3GPP GAN Specification 44.318 (http://www.3gpp.org/ftp/Specs/html-info/44318.htm)
Smart Wi-Fi (formerly UMAToday.com) (http://www.smart-wi-fi.com/) — contains also a list
of available GAN handsets
T-Mobile USA Wi-Fi Calling FAQs (http://support.t-mobile.com/doc/tm24195.xml?related=y&
Referring%20Related%20DocID%20List%20Index=4&navtypeid=6&pagetypeid=7&prevPag
eIndex=1)
How wifi calling works (https://mobilehelper24.blogspot.com/2020/01/wi-fi-calling-mechanis
m.html)

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