Stationary vs. Mobile user agents in future mobile telecommunication networks

Abstract

Third generation mobile networks will be characterized by service variety and multi-provider-scenarios, requiring new concepts for service control and location management. Mobile agents seem to be appropriate for service customization and user localization. However, it is very unclear whether or not their migration costs lead to an overload of the underlying signaling network. This paper answers the question whether the use of mobile agents in telecommunication systems makes sense at all, by analytically comparing a conventional stationary concept with mobile agents. These analyses are based on various call and movement behavior patterns of mobile customers, and on measurement results achieved in the mobile agent system JAE.