Connectionless signaling network layer in UMTS

Integration of fixed and mobile networks can be facilitated by reusing fixed network signaling protocols in mobile networks. In this case, mobility aspects of signaling transfer must be handled by the lower-layer protocols in the signaling stack. This article presents a simple connectionless network-layer protocol that implements transparent mobility support and can therefore be used for efficient signaling transfer in a microcellular mobile system. The protocol has been developed as part of the research efforts for the European third-generation mobile system UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System).