media independent handover (802.21) (MIH)

With the media independent handover, Media Independent Handover (MIH), the most diverse wireless networks ofmobile radio and WLANs should be able to detect handovers from other wireless networks and initiate them themselves.

The IEEE 802.21working group standardizes this technique for handovers between different wireless networks, which are published under the title Media Independent Handover Service (MIHS).

MIH concept with handover between different wireless networks

This technology allows mobile devices to communicate by means of handover in the different wireless networks without having to re- register. For example, this would allow a cell phone to switch from a cellular network to a WiFi hotspot and, if the hotspot is no longer available, to continue communicating on the cellular network without interruption.

MIHS services according to the 802.21 standard

In addition to 802. 11 WLANs and Bluetooth, the 802. 21 standard also includes cellular networks such as GSM networks, General Packet Radio Service( GPRS) and UMTS, which use different handover mechanisms.