Extending Always Best Connected Paradigm for Voice Communications in Next Generation Wireless Network

Selecting transparently a proper network connection for voice communication will be a fundamental requirement in future multi-mode heterogeneous wireless network. This paper extends always best connected (ABC) to a fine-grain paradigm called always best network connection (ABNC) to address this issue. Instead of selecting a best access network as in conventional ABC, ABNC enable users to select a best network connection, which consists of source and destination access network pair, to satisfy quality constraint and users' preference. To support ABNC, we develop a user profile to specify network connection priority. Meanwhile we extend SIP and propose a network selection information service (NSIS) based on MIH (media independent handover) to collect information of both source and destination access networks for decision making. Finally, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to recommend a network connection with assistance of user profile and NSIS. An example is illustrated to show that AHP can successfully select a good network connection that fulfill the requirement of users.