Telecommunication Networks

Can two terminals directly communicate with each other without a network? The

walkie talkies use this communication mode. The walkie talkies, however, can be

used only within a limited area. To implement large-scale communication, for

example, called parties are far away from calling parties or called parties are not

fixed, a telecommunication network is required. The telecommunication network

can solve a lot of problems that occur during information exchange between two

parties, for example, identifying information senders and receivers and ensuring

that the information can arrive at the peer parties.

A telecommunication network consists of interconnected devices that allow

interworking of communication systems anywhere at any time.

Telecommunication networks are classified as follows:

Based on the transmission media: wired telecommunication network and wireless

telecommunication network

Based on services: telephony network, telegram network, data network, facsimile

network, integrated service network, multimedia network, TV network, and

intelligent (IN) network

Based on regions: international network, long-distance network, local network,

and rural network

Based on functions: service network, supporting network, and transmission

network

RAN and CS Core Network

To implement communication between MSs/UEs, a radio transmission channel

must be provided. In addition, all radio resources must be managed in a unified

manner. This function is implemented by the radio access network (RAN). On the

service plane, the network must analyze the related data, for example, analyzing

the called number to find a path to the receiver. This function is implemented by

the core network. The core network consists of the circuit-switched (CS) core

network that supports voice services and the packet-switched (PS) core network

that supports Internet access of MSs/UEs.

Major functions of a radio communication system are as follows:

Maintaining the mobility (That is, when a subscriber is in mobile state, the

communication is interrupted. When roaming to another area, the subscriber can

still originate or terminate calls.)

Transferring services on the air (for example, voice service, Internet access

service, and SMS)

Connecting MSs/UEs to other networks, such as the fixed network, mobile

network, and Internet