A Roadmap for a Green Interface Selection Standardization over Wireless HetNets

Abstract

Wireless heterogeneous networks (HetNets) have been widely deployed in parallel with the dramatic increase of smart mobile devices. Nowadays, people use these devices to access the Internet, communicate, socialize and handle their short or long-term businesses. As these devices rely on their batteries, energy-efficiency has become one of the major issues in both academia and industry. Due to terminal mobility, variety of Radio Access Technologies (RATs) and need to be always best connected (ABC) to the Internet anytime and anywhere, energy-efficient interface selection has to be taken into account carefully. In this context, this roadmap intends to raise the awareness of energy efficiency, and to highlight a green interface selection process in which additional standardization is needed. The roadmap first describes essential rules of energy- efficient interface/network selection procedure. Then, it discusses future policies of green interface selection standardization for smart mobile devices, from the perspective of governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and companies.