scope:

The present document explores the feasibility of a uniform procedure for the integration of, and the interworking with, a large variety of heterogeneous network types. This uniform procedure is called Network Composition. It focuses on ad-hoc networks, PANs, moving networks etc., but also includes access systems. The goal is to avoid the need for defining a new procedure for integration / interworking with each newly emerging network type and to explore the feasibility of making the Network Composition procedure dynamic and to minimize human intervention ("plug and play"). Of course, the high security (authentication, authorization) standards of 3GPP must thereby be maintained. Finally, it is desirable for the Network Composition procedure to be flexible regarding what functionality is assumed in the composing network.

It is conceivable that roaming within a pre-set commercial and technological environment could be established dynamically using the same procedure.

This Feasibility Study covers the following aspects:

- Description of purpose and benefits of composition

- Composition use cases highlighting uniformity, dynamicity, security, manageability, scalability, flexibility, as well as business aspects

- Study of potential composition requirements

- Description of the composition process

- Definition of traits and/or implications of introducing this functionality into the 3GPP system, covering subjects such as management, multi-link radio access, mobility, context & policy awareness, security, and media transcoding & adaptation capabilities.