LTE for Public Safety

Introduction

In a nutshell, this book explains how Long-Term Evolution (LTE) can be used as technology enabler for Public Safety networks, for example, how Public Safety networks can be built on top of LTE. We use the term LTE as synonym for the overall system that consists of radio and core networks, also known as Evolved Packet System (EPS). As a prerequisite, the book assumes some familiarity of the reader with basic concepts of mobile networks and especially with LTE. In Chapters 1 and 2, the book starts with an overview of LTE, its history, network architecture, and main features. Readers interested in detailed call flows for basic procedures should have a look into the Appendix. Chapters 1 and 2 are self-explanatory, but by nature they are not intending to give a full and complete overview of LTE. Hints for further reading, for example, consulting 3GPP specifications, are provided in the various chapters of the book. After reading Chapter 1, the reader should have a fairly good understanding of and why LTE was developed, knows the main architectural alternatives and used interfaces, knows the purpose of mobility management procedures, the LTE QoS concept, the purpose of bearers in LTE, and how they are established and has an understanding of LTE security. In addition, Chapter 1 describes features like Voice/SMS in LTE Multicast Broadcast Multimedia System (MBMS) and Network Sharing that are directly or indirectly of relevance for Public Safety.

Focus of Chapter 2 is on regulatory ...