Packet Switching vs. Circuit Switching in Mobile Networks

 Circuit Switching

Circuit Switching - Establishes a dedicated communication path between two endpoints for the duration of the call or session.

Commonly used in 2G and 3G networks for voice calls and SMS.

Provides a consistent and predictable quality of service since the dedicated path ensures that the communication is not interrupted by other traffic.

Less efficient because the dedicated path remains reserved even when no data is being transmitted, leading to potential under utilization of network resources.

A connection is set up before the communication begins (e.g., through a signaling process). The resources (bandwidth) are reserved for that session, regardless of whether data is being transmitted at all times.

Traditionally used in voice communication (like traditional telephone networks).

Advantages:

 Predictable performance: Constant bandwidth ensures consistent quality, which is

crucial for voice calls.

 Low latency during the conversation once the circuit is established.

Disadvantages:

 Inefficient resource usage: Resources are tied up for the entire duration of the call, even

during silent periods.

 Limited scalability: Establishing connections for many users can be challenging.

SB06/SR/MN/17004/2022 Francis Mwangi

Packet Switching

Data is broken into packets that are transmitted over a shared network path, allowing multiple users to

share the same network resources.

Utilized in 4G LTE and 5G networks for all types of data, including voice (VoIP), SMS, and internet

services.

Can vary since packets may take different paths to reach their destination, but modern techniques like

Quality of Service (QoS) protocols help manage this.

More efficient as it allows for better utilization of network resources by dynamically allocating

bandwidth based on demand.

Each packet contains the destination address and can be routed through various paths. The receiving

device reassembles the packets in the correct order.

Commonly used for data transmission (like internet traffic) and increasingly for voice and video calls

(VoIP, video streaming).

Advantages:

 Efficient resource utilization: Network resources are shared among multiple users, allowing for better bandwidth use.

 Scalability: Easily accommodates more users and varying data traffic.

Disadvantages:

 Variable latency: Packet delivery times can vary, leading to potential delays or jitter, which can affect real-time applications.

 Overhead: Additional data is needed for packet headers and reassembly.

Key Differences

Connection Setup: Circuit switching requires a connection to be established before data transmission, while packet switching does not.

Resource Utilization: Packet switching is generally more efficient in terms of resource utilization compared to circuit switching.

Flexibility: Packet switching is more flexible and scalable, making it suitable for modern high-speed data networks.