For the design of next generation wireless networks two different approaches are currently being considered. They are:

·         Interworking with next generation Internet (tight coupling)

·         Integration within next generation Internet (very tight coupling)

In the first approach, the access network and the core network use different IP protocols and mechanisms and only the core network is considered as a sub-network of the Internet. In the second approach, both the core and access networks use common IP based protocols and mechanisms and the access network is considered as a sub-network of the Internet

The tutorial will describe these approaches and discuss their suitability in supporting future heterogeneous wireless access environment and their benefits to the operators.  The challenges of providing IP-based multi-media services with end-to-end QoS guarantee in future IP-based core and wireless access networks will also be discussed.  The issues, which will be discussed, are as follow:

•  Efficient, flexible and scalable architectures.

• Degree of coupling between radio access networks (open, loose and tight).

•  Mobility management (macro-and micro mobility).

• QoS in core and access networks.

• QoS routing.

• Over-provisioning versus QoS mechanisms in core networks.