The objective of the EVEREST project is to devise and assess a set of specific strategies and algorithms for access and core networks, leading to an optimised utilisation of scarcely available radio resources for the support of mixed services with end-to-end QoS mechanisms within heterogeneous networks beyond 3G.

The provision of beyond 3G heterogeneous network topologies is conceptually a very attractive notion; however, it is a challenge to accomplish an efficient network design. In this context, Radio Resource Management (RRM) strategies are responsible for an utmost efficient utilisation of the air interface resources in the available Radio Access Networks (RANs). EVEREST will provide tangible contributions towards a heterogeneous realisation of 2G/2.5/3G (e.g. GERAN, UTRAN) and 3.5G networks with the inclusion of newly emerging RANs (e.g. WLAN for vertical coverage extensions). The potential inclusion of location information in RRM design, as well as some forms of RAN sharing, will be considered as additional examples of the medium and long term research focus of EVEREST.

In order to accomplish these objectives, the project evolves around two main activities:
• Algorithmic development and simulation by means of advanced simulation tools
• Demonstration of the technology by means of implementing real-time testbeds for proof of concepts

It is a further purpose of the project to contribute actively to the different standardisation fora. In that sense, the proposed solutions will be compliant with and aligned to standardisation activities in the field, e.g. 3GPP, IETF, IEEE. Moreover, the results obtained in EVEREST are expected to be of significant momentum, the beneficiaries to which are service-providers, operators, manufacturers and end-users.

3 KEY ISSUES The research challenges, to be tackled by EVERST project, can thus be summarised as follows:

• To identify, propose, simulate, assess and validate advanced RRM algorithms for GERAN and UMTS as well as novel radio concepts beyond 3G.
• For heterogeneous networks, to develop Common RRM (CRRM) algorithms between access technologies focused on UTRA and GERAN. Both for tight and very tight coupling will be considered.
• To consider other technologies that can be a complement to GPRS/UMTS, such as:
• WLAN for indoor hotspots
• Different types of repeaters, acting as coverage extensions
• To support end-to-end QoS in a heterogeneous wired and wireless mobile environment. To this end, the investigation about the relationship between the core network Band-width Broker (BB) and the RRM & CRRM entities for a plethora of RANs (UMTS, GERAN and WLAN) becomes of prime importance.
• To demonstrate the benefits of the developed RRM and CRRM algorithms by means of multimedia IP based applications over a real time testbed.