Personal Area Network

Description

In the context of an All-IP Network (AIPN), a Personal Area Network (PAN) is defined as a collection of more than one device (terminal) that is controlled by, and physically close to, the same user (person). All devices within a PAN use the same USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module). These devices are interconnected using internal PAN means, which can include short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Zigbee, or even wired connections. The user obtains services from the AIPN using his multiple devices, all of which access the user's USIM through the PAN to gain access to the AIPN. The user controls the PAN directly.

The PAN concept was introduced in 3GPP Release 7 as part of the study on All-IP Networks (AIPN) and is documented in specifications 22.259 and 22.978. It addresses the growing trend of users owning multiple devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops, wearables) and the desire to share a single subscription and identity across them. The PAN enables a user to have a seamless service experience across devices without needing multiple subscriptions or SIMs. The PAN is essentially a personal network that extends the user's reach into the AIPN.

Architecturally, the PAN does not have a specific network element defined in 3GPP; instead, it is a conceptual entity that relies on the capabilities of the devices and the AIPN. The devices within the PAN communicate with each other using internal PAN means, which are out of scope for 3GPP standardization. The key 3GPP aspect is that all devices use the same USIM to authenticate and access the AIPN. This implies that the USIM credentials must be shared among the devices, either by physically moving the USIM or by using a virtual USIM or a USIM proxy. The PAN can be seen as a logical extension of the user's identity into multiple devices.

The PAN concept is closely related to other 3GPP work on multiple device support, such as the Personal Network Management (PNM) and the Generic Authentication Architecture (GAA). It also relates to the concept of a Personal Network (PN) as defined in other standards bodies. In 3GPP, the PAN is primarily a service enabler that allows a user to access services from multiple devices with a single subscription. This can be beneficial for both users and operators, as it can increase service usage and simplify subscription management.

From a service perspective, the PAN enables use cases such as: a user watching a video on a smartphone and then transferring it to a tablet; a user receiving a call on a smartphone and answering it on a tablet; or a user sharing an internet connection from a smartphone to a laptop. These use cases require the devices to be aware of each other and to coordinate their access to the AIPN. The PAN provides the framework for such coordination, although the specific mechanisms are left to implementation.

In summary, the PAN is a 3GPP concept that defines a personal network of devices sharing a single USIM, allowing the user to access AIPN services from multiple devices. It was introduced in Release 7 and has been maintained in subsequent releases without significant changes to its definition. The PAN is an important enabler for multi-device services and reflects the evolution of mobile networks towards a more personalized and seamless user experience.

Purpose & Motivation

The Personal Area Network (PAN) concept was created to address the increasing prevalence of users owning multiple devices and the need to access network services seamlessly across these devices using a single subscription. Before the PAN, each device typically required its own USIM and subscription, leading to complexity and cost for users and operators. The PAN allows a user to share a single USIM across multiple devices, simplifying subscription management and enabling new service scenarios.

The motivation for the PAN came from the vision of All-IP Networks (AIPN) in 3GPP Release 7, which aimed to provide ubiquitous and seamless IP-based services. In such networks, users would expect to use any of their devices to access services without worrying about which device has the SIM. The PAN solves this by defining a personal network where all devices use the same USIM, and the user controls the network directly.

The PAN also addresses the limitations of previous approaches, such as the need to physically move the SIM card between devices or to have multiple subscriptions. By allowing devices to share a USIM through internal PAN means, the PAN enables a more flexible and user-friendly experience. It also opens up possibilities for new services, such as device-to-device communication and service continuity across devices. Overall, the PAN is a key enabler for the multi-device era in mobile communications.