With the explosion in data use throughout the wireless ecosystem set to continue for many years, networks face unprecedented challenges to meet ever-growing demand. As part of an ongoing study into integrated networks, the Wireless Broadband Alliance and Small Cell Forum Joint Task Force has produced the first comprehensive technical documentation, assessment and specification of the architecture and interfaces for integrated small cell and ‘trusted’ Wi-Fi (ISW) networks. The white paper considers the architectural options, interfaces and deployment aspects of the TWAN (Trusted Wireless Wan). It also incudes a comprehensive industry survey of major operators and vendors addressing the business and technical implications of integration.
This is the first study of its kind to bring clarity to the architecture of the TWAN that connects the access points, controller and gateways of the integrated ISW network, an area that has fallen out of the scope of the 3GPP and has not been addressed by any other standards organizations.
