Mobile Wireless
The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA)

Mobile operators are rapidly transforming their existing infrastructures from proprietary circuit-switched networks to the open standards-based 3G IP-based networks. Mobile operators recognize the need to optimize their networks for data traffic.

There is a 3G-reference architecture, promoted by Cisco and partners, which is based on open interfaces. The architecture was previously supported through the Mobile Wireless Internet Forum (MWIF), which ceased operation at the end of 2002. The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) is now continuing the technical work of the forum .

There are four basic principles of the OMA:

  • Products and services are based on open, global standards, protocols, and interfaces and are not restricted to proprietary technologies.
  • The applications layer is bearer agnostic, such as GSM, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA, or UMTS.
  • The architecture framework and service enablers are independent of the OS.
  • Applications and platforms are interoperable, providing seamless geographic and inter-generational roaming.

By promoting a common IP core, a distributed peer-to-peer IP-based architecture for scalability, and IP standard interfaces for billing and customer care, the operating efficiencies of new mobile voice and data services will benefit mobile operators and customers.