Efficient content distribution in an information-centric hybrid mobile network

Information or content centric networking is believed by many to have great potential to be the appropriate networking paradigm for the future Internet. In information centric networking, focus is shifted from the end-points in the network to the information objects themselves, with less care being placed on from where the information is fetched. In addition to the benefits this networking paradigm has in fixed networks, it also simplifies operation in mobile networks and has the potential to improve performance. In this paper, we describe one way in which the NetInf network architecture can be used in a hybrid mobile network in an urban setting, and run simulations to evaluate the benefits that this approach can yield, both to the end users (in terms of improved performance such as reduced latency with over 50%), as well as to the operators in terms of a reduction of traffic load in the cellular access networks with up to 97%.