Multipath TCP With Single Radio Access Technologies: a Paradox or an Opportunity?

Multipath Transmission Control Protocol (MPTCP) was designed to explore the multipath diversity, maximizing resource usage and increasing redundancy. This diversity arises from the fact that, at a given communication hop, two or more access networks become available, as is the case of cellular and Wi-Fi networks in mobile environments. This work explores a different scenario: what if the multipath is established over the same access network? Can MPTCP benefit communications in multiple paths in the same radio access technology? With a vehicular network as use case, we show how the IEEE 802.11p interface is shared among the multiple logical links created between the On-Board Unit and the several Road Side Units in its range, supporting the different MPTCP subflows. The results, obtained through experimentation with real vehicular networking hardware, show a positive answer to the previous question: MPTCP allows for seamless handovers, ensuring continuous, stable and efficient communication in highly mobile environments, even in single Radio Access Technology networks.