White Paper

GPRS and SmartTrust

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 White Paper
GPRS and SmartTrust

1 Introduction
The introduction of general packet radio service (GPRS) shifts cellular
communications from the world of circuit-switched communications to that of
packet-based data services. GPRS is a packet switched network built on top of
existing GSM technologies and is often referred to as the 2.5G - being the
stepping stone from 2G to 3G.

This document will describe the GPRS technology and its impact on SmartTrusts
offerings.
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2 SmartTrust and GPRS

GPRS is a data packet bearer offering new possibilities for the Mobile
operator.

This White Paper summarizes the advantages that GPRS brings to the
SmartTrust product portfolio. In short:
New bearer for data traffic, co-working with GSM
o SMS over GPRS
o GPRS as data channel for delivery of content
o GPRS as data channel for SIM updates
Higher Capacity -> Higher Value of VAS
o Digital distribution transactions and authentications
Fast Session setup/ Always on line
o WAP/GPRS settings etc
o Push
Wireless access to internet and intranet
VPN login etc
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3 What is GPRS? The Network

3.1 Overview of GPRS Technology

GPRS is offering end-to-end package switched services based on the GSM

infrastructure. GPRS can tunnel data transparently from the mobile terminal to the
Internet, giving the terminal the same status as an IP host on a local area network.
Main benefits of GPRS are:
Wireless access to Internet and intranets
More efficient use of the air interface as timeslots can be shared among
several users.
Fast session set-up, always online
Charging can be based on amount of data instead of time

Capacity versus hype

In GPRS, users are able to use several timeslots and several users may share the
same timeslots over a time period. The time slots are shared between GPRS and
GSM and most likely the operator will use a dynamic solution where GPRS are
allowed to use several timeslots as long as all GSM traffic gets the resources
asked for.

In theory the maximum data transmission speed is 171.2 kbps GPRS and in
marketing of GPRS the capacity is stated as well over 100 kbps. Unfortunately,
these figures are not realistic. One reason is that operators will hardly allocate all
resources for GPRS; another reason is that not all coding schemes will be
implemented. A realistic estimation on transfer is between 5 and 40 kbps.

Conclusively, the main advantage of GPRS is not the transfer speed. More
interesting is that GPRS packetises the GSM network, allowing the handset to
stay connected and use the GPRS network only when sending or receiving
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information. There is no cost connected to being online, only for data transfer and
temporary loss of connection does not stop downloading of data.

Handset

A GPRS handset is rather similar to the GSM handset, but naturally there are
some differences as the GPRS phone requires software to support GPRS services.
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The SIM used in a GPRS phone can be a regular GSM SIM or a new SIM that is
GRPS aware.

Network changes

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GPRS adds two new network nodes (support nodes) to the GSM infrastructure:
Serving GPRS Support Node, SGSN, that supports packet routing within
the network
Gateway GPRS Support Node, GGSN, that connects to Packet Data
Networks such as the Internet and to other GPRS networks through GPRS
Roaming Exchanges to facilitate roaming.

Security

Most of the algorithms, keys and criteria specified in existing GSM are reused in
GPRS. Authentication and cipher mode setting procedures are performed by the
SGSN. For the transport of information SmartTrust platform ensures security by
the use of GSM 03.48.

SIM card
The SIM card used in GPRS can be GPRS aware or not. The difference is the
ability to store two elementary files, EFKcGPRS and EFLOCIGPRS. The Kc file holds
the ciphering key and a sequence number while the LOCI file stores parameters
describing the location and identity of the mobile station. If a GPRS session is set
up with an ordinary SIM those files may be stored in the handset.

3.1.1 SMS over GPRS

A GPRS Mobile Station (MS) can send and receive short messages over GPRS
radio channels. The MSC node and its functionality are replaced by a SGSN. The
end-user experience does not change, but the transfer speed may be higher.
Sending SMS over GPRS requires a mobile phone supporting GPRS and a SMS-
C that has an interface towards the SGSN.

SMS over GPRS can also be used as the bearer for SIM residing applications such
as SmartTrust WIB. Also in this case, the end user experience does not change
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3.1.2 GPRS as bearer/data channel

The combination of a new packet switched channel and the increased bandwidth
offers both opportunities in the VAS and SIM File Management area.

SIM management is enhanced by the possibility to perform OTA management

of the SIM files using GPRS as a high bandwidth bearer for the update of large
files.
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GPRS as bearer for OTA services technical view

GSM uses SMS as the bearer for Remote SIM File Management. The GPRS
technology gives an opportunity of a new bearer, but this requires some new
technical features.

Communication between the SIM card and the handset is specified with SIM
ToolKit (STK) commands. The new capability of requesting a GPRS connection
utilizes commands that enable the SIM to initiate actions on the handset, for
example:

Setting up a data call to a number and with bearer capabilities held by the
SIM. (in this case GPRS)
Providing local information from the ME to the SIM.
Establishing and managing a bearer independent protocol.

These commands are called Class E commands. Phones supporting these, (class
E terminals) have not been available until recently and it seems like they are still
only available for trials (March 2002).

Capacity

Utilizing the added capacity of GPRS is the main reason for not using SM as the
bearer when doing Remote File Management. However, server initiated data
transfer over GPRS should only be used when the size of the data is considerable.
There are some procedures that have to be done before the data is sent over
GPRS, e.g. the SIM Toolkit Message from the Delivery Platform and the
activation of the PDP context. This overhead time implies that unless the data to
be sent has a certain size, it is faster to use SMS.

3.1.3 Push

Addressing
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GPRS is marketed as a technology that enables you to be always connected.

However, IPv4 has limited number of IP addresses and this has a large impact on
this marketing message. The shortage of IP addresses means that not all handsets
in the world can be connected simultaneously which makes it impossible to push
data to a phone; all traffic has to be initiated by the subscriber.
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While waiting for IPv6 and enough unique IP addresses for every possible device
to be constantly on, the ability to push a session set-up command from a server
will be quite useful. SmartTrust DP makes it possible to push information to the

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handset at any time using SMS, without the user actively requesting it. SMS push
from SmartTrust DP can be used to initiate a GPRS data session.

Addressing for Remote File Management

It is important to keep the level of security that is currently offered for SIM File
updates using SMS as the bearer. The SIM files must be protected from updates
initiated by someone without right authorities. This protection is guaranteed using
03.48 Transport Security also when using GPRS.

When a GPRS package arrives to a MS using GPRS as bearer, the ME cannot

know that this special packet should be routed to the SIM. This provides an
additional level of security since a SIM file download has to be initiated by a WIG
push short message that tells the SIM to initiate the download.
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4 SIM Lifecycle Management

One of SmartTrust's main business areas is SIM File Management. As the SIMs
get bigger and more complex and the size of the updates on the SIM increases
(e.g. Java scripts), GPRS may be used as the bearer of the data.

The picture below shows the steps involved.

SGSN GGSN SMS-C DP

03.48 Data 11.14 open channel 1 SMS push

WIB
download

2
Open Channel
3 Setup GPRS channel

03.48 Data Download

4

Picture. Data download over GPRS

1. A WIG push SM (03.48 security) is sent to the WIB on the SIM.

2. The WIB orders the phone to set up a GPRS connection using the
OPEN_CHANNEL command.
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3. A channel is set up between the ME and the Transport Server in the

SmartTrust Delivery Platform.
4. The SIM File Data is sent down using 03.48 transport security.
The data arriving on that channel is then directed to the SIM when it arrives and
the files are updated.

4.1 Remote SIM File Management Use cases

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Roaming Management

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Roaming Management is the management of the SIM files (PLMNsel etc) that
decides which network the ME of a roaming subscriber will choose when
connecting to a network. Making sure that these files always mirror the preferred
networks is done by OTA updates of the files.

To cater for continued efficiency when choosing networks, a new PLMN file has
been defined. This file makes the PLMN choice taking the bearer into account,
which increases the possibility for optimized network selection when roaming.

The SmartTrust Roaming Solution offers the operator the possibility to manage
the PLMN lists on the SIM to ensure that the roaming GPRS user roams into the
networks with the best roaming agreement.

Subscription Update/Activation

As the subscription details gets more complex the possible variations increases.
To make the stock of SIMs at the POS (Point of Sale) as small as possible the
operators can leave some of the subscriptions files empty until the subscription
has been sold. These file can then be updated either at the POS or OTA. As the
size and number of files increases and as services (WIB and Java applets)
becomes part of the personalisation, GPRS can be the perfect carrier for the data
needed at subscription activation/updates made OTA.

Java Applet Management

Java Applets could be of many shapes and forms. One common feature is though
that they are most often larger than WIB services. This means that SM might not
be the optimal bearer, where GPRS could be.

The setup would be using the GPRS data channel approach (as previous
explained) and then download the applets to the SIM.
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5 Service Delivery
5.1.1 SMS over GPRS

Just as SMS over GPRS can be used for standard SMS text messaging it can be
used as the bearer for SIM residing applications such as SmartTrust WIB. And
just as SMS over GPRS should be transparent to the end user, short messages sent
to WIB over GPRS are transparent for SmartTrust Transport Server, see picture
below.

The end-user experience of SmartTrust Browser and WIG services will be no

different apart from that messages may be sent and delivered faster when short
messages are sent over GPRS. Whether the message will be sent over GSM or
GPRS is decided by the SMS.

SDM WIG
Messaging Platform

SMS-C SMS
GPRS/GSM

GGSN
SGSN

5.1.2 Service Delivery in GPRS

One argument for the WIB based services has been that there is no connection
time (as for Circuit Switched WAP) however, this is not valid in the same sense
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for GPRS phones. On the other hand GPRS does not have the same roaming and
coverage as GSM. Thus, in order to reach the whole customer base it becomes
even more important to offer services across technologies. Authentication and
payments will be more important as the value of the VAS increases and the
WIB has a big advantage and future in this area.
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SGSN GGSN

IP/X25
GPRS
SMS traffic
SmartTrust DP
incl. Transport Server
DP5 Transport environment using GPRS
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6 Trusted Operator
The need for authentication and signing is likely to increase with the increased
bandwidth and the new usage areas. VPN wireless authentication and digital
distribution are two examples of such areas. These technologies are still young,
meaning that standards and protocols are not fully defined. However,
SmartTrusts products have a natural and significant role to play in theses areas
and test and prototypes will be designed as the standards evolve.

When VAS of higher value and larger sizes are sent the price (and value) of the
services will increase. To ensure the payment of such Value Added services user
authorizations will be needed and the SmartTrust WIB and security solutions will
be able to ensure these authorizations.
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