Quality of experience-aware enhanced inter-cell interference coordination for self organized HetNet

Fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks are geared to support future services such as enhanced Mobile BroadBand. They already face dramatic data traffic increase mainly due to the generalized demand by mobile consumers for Full High Definition/High Definition (Full HD/HD) video services. The most viable solution to solve this problem is to deploy heterogeneous cellular networks, which involve a massive deployment of densified low power cells. However, in heterogeneous cellular networks, coordination of cell scheduling is required to efficiently distribute the resources and mitigate inter-cell interference. To puzzle out this issue, a novel approach based on game theory that optimizes cell time transmission muting and user attachment is proposed. Its novelty consists in directly involving user Quality of Experience (QoE) in the maximization of an overall video utility instead of a global network utility, aiming at driving inter-cell interference coordination algorithms with user satisfaction. The proposed solution is compared with a state-of-the-art strategy. The numerical results show how QoE awareness significantly improves the efficiency of inter-cell interference management in heterogeneous cellular networks and increases the density of users requesting higher quality videos.