What is SIPTO (selected IP traffic offload)

pdfs.semanticscholar.org/67ac/b229678e40f0862197674a709b3a3ee548d6.pdf

Selected IP Traffic Offload (SIPTO) Explained Technically

SIPTO (Selected IP Traffic Offload) is a network optimization technique used in mobile communication systems, particularly LTE (Long-Term Evolution) networks. It aims to improve user experience and network efficiency by selectively offloading specific IP traffic streams.

Here's a detailed breakdown of SIPTO:

Core Functionality:

SIPTO dynamically redirects certain types of user traffic away from the mobile operator's core network and onto a more optimal path. This offloading can happen in two main ways:

1. Offloading via Local Network: SIPTO can offload traffic to a local network (e.g., enterprise or residential Wi-Fi) that the user is connected to. This reduces the load on the mobile operator's network and potentially improves user experience with lower latency.
2. Offloading over RAN (Radio Access Network): In this approach, SIPTO redirects traffic to a geographically closer Serving Gateway (S-GW) and Packet Gateway (P-GW) within the mobile operator's network. This reduces the backhaul distance traveled by the data, leading to faster transmission speeds.

Benefits of SIPTO:

• Improved User Experience: Offloading reduces congestion on the mobile operator's network, potentially leading to lower latency and faster data transfer for users.
• Network Efficiency: SIPTO frees up capacity in the core network, allowing it to handle other traffic more efficiently.
• Cost Saving: By offloading traffic to local networks, mobile operators can potentially reduce their network infrastructure costs.

Implementation Details:

SIPTO relies on several key elements for its operation:

• SIPTO Policies: These policies defined by the mobile operator determine which types of traffic (identified by APN - Access Point Name) are eligible for offloading.
• User Consent: In some cases, user consent might be required before enabling SIPTO for specific traffic types.
• H(e)NB (HeNB) Support: The base station (eNB or HeNB - evolved Node B) needs to have the capability to identify eligible traffic and perform the offloading based on SIPTO policies.
• Local IP Access (LIPA): This technology facilitates offloading traffic to local networks by providing seamless IP connectivity between the user equipment (UE) and the local network.

Key Considerations for SIPTO:

• Security: Ensuring data security is crucial when offloading traffic to potentially untrusted local networks. Secure protocols like IPsec tunnels might be employed.
• Regulatory Requirements: Compliance with local regulations related to network neutrality and content filtering needs to be considered.
• Service Differentiation: Mobile operators might use SIPTO policies to offer differentiated services with varying levels of offloading based on user subscriptions or network conditions.