Inter-operator roaming scenarios for third generation mobile telecommunication systems

In third generation multi-operator mobile telecommunication systems, terminal operations will allow users to select the desirable operator among the ones available, provided that the user access rights are maintained. In this paper, three alternative (interoperator) roaming scenarios between public and private operators are proposed. The first scenario considers private operators as autonomous networks (GSM-based approach), the second scenario considers private operators as “domains” of a public operator (DECTbased approach), while the third one considers private operators as extensions of a public operator coverage. Their advantages and disadvantages are highlighted, while particular attention is paid on the implications on access rights management and design issues.