Security in third-generation mobile systems
Nigel Jefferies · 1995
We discuss some issues regarding the security of third-generation mobile systems such as FPLMTS and UMTS. In particular, we describe a mutual authentication algorithm that has been proposed for use in these systems. The mechanism is based on the use of secret key cryptography and provides mutual entity authentication between the user and the network operator. The term third-generation refers to the next generation of mobile systems beyond existing digital networks such as GSM, DCS1800 and DECT. Such systems are currently being standardized by the ITU (as FPLMTS) and ETSI (as UMTS). They are characterized by the following: a multi-operator environment; multiple environments (residential cordless, mobile, satellite, etc.); multi-vendor/standardized interfaces; use of the WARC-assigned FPLMTS band; higher bit-rates (up to 2 Mb/s); and migration from existing systems. (5 pages)