Information-aware access network selection

Abstract

Mobile devices are increasingly presented with multiple connectivity options, including WiFi hotspots, micro-/macrocells or even other devices in device-to-device communications. In this environment, connectivity management has been focused on contention, congestion and wireless medium conditions. In this paper, we assess the role of informationcentrism in mobile device connectivity management. Motivated by the increasing availability of content and services in in-network caches and micro-data centers, we design an access network selection scheme that takes into account information availability within each connectivity option. Using extensive simulations, we show that information-awareness results in a significant increase of experienced cache hit ratios, i.e., up to 115% in certain scenarios.