RLoad: reputation-based load-balancing network selection strategy for heterogeneous wireless environments

In the current telecommunication environment, network operators are trying to cope with a significant increase in data traffic by adopting different solutions to expand their network capacity. One of these solutions is the convergence of next generation wireless networks (e.g., HSDPA, LTE and WiMAX) which involve closely interworking of existing 2G/2.5G/3G networks with the new next generation networks in terms of handover and network selection. However, the diversification in mobile devices and the heterogeneity of the wireless environment make the seamless always best connectivity of mobile users a challenge for the service providers. We propose RLoad, a novel Reputation-based Load-balancing Network Selection Strategy for heterogeneous wireless environments, built on top of the IEEE 802.21 Media Independent Handover (MIH) standard. The proposed solution makes use of a reputation-based mechanism to select the most appropriate set of networks for the mobile user and a load balancing mechanism to distribute the traffic load among the networks by making use of the Multipath TCP (MPTCP) protocol. Preliminary simulation results show significant benefits when using the proposed RLoad solution.