Written by: Roland Heickerö, Stefan Jelvin and Bodil Josefsson

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The Ericsson seamless network is a concept that describes the path for GSM operators who are evolving their networks toward a third-generation environment in which GSM and WCDMA are regarded as one network. In this context—and throughout this article—GSM means all accesses deployed in the GSM band (GSM, GPRS and EDGE). The seamless network concept protects past and future investments in GSM by reusing network equipment: GSM is used for second- and third-generation services since it evolves with EDGE technology, and the existing core network evolves into a layered architecture that supports GSM and WCDMA.

Perhaps the most important driver of the seamless network concept is the fact that end-users will be able to have seamless third-generation services from GSM and WCDMA coverage. By allowing a balanced roll-out of WCDMA, the seamless network provides for flexible capital investment—after an initial WCDMA coverage phase, a parallel expansion of each technology enables operators to invest as needed. EDGE can be introduced rapidly, nationwide; capacity can be increased as needed through the addition of WCDMA.

When the seamless network has been fully implemented, it will make very efficient use of the combined GSM and WCDMA spectrum, treating the two as one.

[First published in Ericsson Review no. 02, 2002]