The starting point of this project is that of mobile wireless heterogeneous networks (including UMTS, GERAN and WLAN) with the aim to provide end to end QoS for IP-based multimedia services in an efficient way. In this framework, the purpose of this project is to cope with the different problems at different levels leading to gain insight into an ultimate global solution. In particular, the objectives of the project can be stated as:

a. To analyse, evaluate and propose architectures to support end to end QoS, with special emphasis in the component dealing with common radio resource management (CRRM), the core network QoS management as well as the interworking architecture among the different radio access technologies

b. To analyse, develop and propose resource management strategies in the framework of integrated heterogeneous networks with the ability to provide quality, capacity and coverage targets in the most efficient way. Prior to define CRRM strategies it is required to analyse, develop, propose and evaluate radio resource management strategies for every single technology considered (i.e. GSM/GPRS/EDGE, UMTS and WLAN). The proposed algorithms will consider the impact of flexible spectrum management and allocation through Spectrum Management (SM) algorithms.

c. To demonstrate, by means of IP multimedia applications, the suitability of the developed elements through a laboratory testbed implementation, supporting the main outcomes of the project.

On the other hand, since the successful deployment of heterogeneous networks architectures as well as RRM, CRRM and SM algorithms largely depends on their economical viability, this component will be closely taken into account in the envisaged research, thus considering the techno-economical perspective.