URAN: Utility-based reputation-oriented access network selection strategy for HetNets

The small cell deployment is seen as a promising solution for the network operators to help them cope with the increasing number of mobile broadband data subscribers and their bandwidth-intensive application demands. The result is a HetNet, heterogeneous network environment with a combination of macro-cells and small cells to spread the traffic load, increase the bitrates and maintain the service quality. In this context, network selection mechanisms will be required to keep the mobile users always best experienced. In this paper, we propose a theoretical framework URAN, for combining utility-based network selection mechanism with reputation-based systems. URAN makes use of the user preferences and service requirements to define a network reputation factor which reflects the user satisfaction on the network's previous service guarantee to the mobile user.