The present document provides the framework for end-to-end Quality of Service involving GPRS and complements TS 23.107 [3] which describes the framework for Quality of Service within UMTS. The end-to-end QoS architecture is provided in Figure 1. The document describes the interaction between the TE/MT Local Bearer Service, the GPRS Bearer Service, and the External Bearer Service, and how these together provide Quality of Service for the End-to-End Service. The document also describes IP level mechanisms necessary in providing end-to-end Quality of Service involving GPRS networks, including possible interaction between the IP level and the GPRS level, as well as the application level and the IP level.

This document covers different architectural aspects of the end-to-end Quality of Service concept and architecture with varying level of detail. In general, other specifications shall be referred to for further details; these other specifications enable the reader to acquire the full understanding of the end-to-end Quality of Service concept and architecture. In particular, the stage 2 specification for the PCC architecture is specified in TS 23.203 [21]. The present document does not contain any requirements for the PCC architecture.

In contrast to the TS 23.107 [3], the present document is only applicable to GPRS packet switched access services, and includes aspects of interworking to the IM subsystem as well as PSTN and other networks. The document does not cover the circuit switched access services.