Auction based interface selection with media independent handover services and flow management

The widespread use of heterogeneous wireless technologies, their integration and existence of multi-mode terminals enable users get associated to the best available networks according to user preferences over different application specific requirements, prices and network technologies. In this paper we present the user-centric interface selection decision, where negotiation between users and network operators is carried out using multi-attribute auctioning mechanism. We do not only consider the utility of users but also model the network operators' utility and discuss the truth telling behavior of network operators in terms of offered prices and service quality. The proposed approach builds on IEEE 802.21 standard. SIP and IPv6 based flow management approaches are discussed, the later approach is implemented using OPNET modeller simulator. The performance of our approach is compared with Long-term contractual approach in terms of users throughput, users' cost, operators' revenue and call blocking probability.