Local IP Flow Mobility to enhance femtocell benefits for open metro deployment

In this paper we describe the benefits and use cases of femtocell based solutions for metro deployments. We then describe a Converged Gateway (CGW) concept which manages a femtocell and WiFi AP. After explaining the architecture of the CGW and the details of how the CGW interacts with the femtocell, WiFi AP and mobile core network, we explore CGW-based IP Flow Mobility. The various processes that define CGW-based IFOM are explained and examples are provided. There are often choppy waters in the approval process for traditional cell towers where the features of a CGW may provide an acceptable path forward. We discuss several court cases to set the framework, and then consider how a CGW may provide some desirable flexibility.