Optimizing radio access network selection in WLAN and 3G networks

This paper proposes a radio access network (RAN) selection algorithm for the next generation of wireless networks. The proposed algorithm uses mobile terminal measurements from different radio access technologies to obtain information for multi-criteria decision making between different RANs available to the mobile user. The proposed system uses a novel algorithm designed for decision-making under service parameters, Quality of Service (QoS), and service costs for the mobile user. The algorithm has been implemented within both client and server terminals. Also, an analysis of the results obtained using the new algorithm in 3G and wireless local area networks (WLANs), has been performed.