RAN-aware content delivery, proxy optimizations, and offload in cellular wireless networks

In most service provider networks today, performance enhancing proxies (PEPs), or optimization platforms, are used to improve performance through content caching, compression, application acceleration etc. PEPs are commonly deployed in wireline network ISPs and mobile networks between the core and Internet access point. This paper describes an alternative approach, which is to deploy content caches and other PEP functions deep into mobile radio access networks (RANs), such as UMTS, LTE, and CDMA networks. We discuss the architecture required to support this type of RAN-proxy deployment, as well as the overall benefits such as backhaul savings, better subscriber quality of experience (QoE), etc. We explore various locations within the RAN for such proxy, and the tradeoffs. We describe how operators can use RAN-proxies to selectively offload content to a local content delivery network (CDN), and to deliver content based on device type, location, and access network congestion. The challenges of a RAN-proxy deployment relative to charging, mobility, content filtering and lawful intercept are also discussed. We conclude by presenting the results/benefits of an experimental RAN-proxy deployment in a Tier-1 operator network.