Network Selection and Handoff in Wireless Networks: A Game Theoretic Approach

Convergence, that is, the integration of various access technologies combining their resources to best serve the increased user requirements, may be supported, through a system architecture where different access networks, terminals, and services coexist. Thus, a new, user centric communication paradigm is motivated, that is, the user is no longer bound to only one access network but may indirectly select the best available access network(s) to support a service session. Upon a new service request or even any dynamic change, for example, mobility, one (or a group) of the participating access networks needs to be selected in order to support the session. Thus, the converged system architecture must be equipped with a network selection mechanism to effectively assign the best access network(s) to handle a service session.