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Best Practices for Mobile Application Development
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- Platform and OSes
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Network Technologies
- Authentication and Encryption
- Enterprise Network Considerations
- Fixed-End Connections
- Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC)
- IP networking
- Network Security
- Networking Considerations for Roaming
- Packet Data Protocol Contexts
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Principles of Streaming Services
- Technology Comparison
- Time Expiration Values
- AT&T U-verse
- Wi-Fi
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Networking Considerations for Roaming
Data Services Remain the Same
In most cases, end users can access the same data services, regardless of where they are in
their provider's network or in a roaming partner's network.
GSM/GPRS operators interconnect their networks so that the networks route data traffic to the
home network regardless of whether users are operating in their home network or in a roaming
partner's network. (This assumes that the user specified their existing APNs when they
configured their connections.)
As a result of this interconnection, a user maintains the same data services. These include
public versus private IP addresses, access to operator-hosted services, and links to fixed-end
connections.
Effect of Roaming on Applications
Although data services remain the same, there may be some performance differences when
accessing a network via another wireless carrier, including:
- Varying Throughputs. AT&T offers up to four EDGE time slots, but another provider might offer a smaller number. Alternatively, AT&T offers the EDGE capability, but a roaming partner might only offer GPRS. In the case of UMTS, AT&T offers HSDPA, but the roaming partner might only offer UMTS.
- Higher Latencies. Latencies might be higher because packets must be routed via the home network.
Effect of roaming on applications
| Services | Access via AT&T's Network | Access via Roaming-Partner Network |
|---|---|---|
| IP Address | Public or Private Addresses | Same, since assigned by home network |
| Application Services | WAP, application proxies, e-mail, Web optimization | Same, since provided by home network |
| Data Throughput | High-speed EDGE or HSDPA | Depends on roaming carrier |
| Latency | Low | Slightly higher since packets route to the AT&T wireless network first |
| Radio Encryption | Yes | Depends on carrier |
| Fixed-End Connections | Internet, Frame Relay | Access to same connections |
Updated:
09-02-2011
Created: 03-15-2010
Created: 03-15-2010
