Predictive and Context-Aware Multimedia Content Delivery for Future Cellular Networks

A context aware model for the delivery of content in mobile networks is presented and studied through simulation. The proposed model is based on predictive knowledge of mobile user behavior related to consumption of content on smart terminals. Content prediction is here exploited to change the time and the location of content delivery, opportunistically utilizing the instantaneously available excess of resources in the network. This is anticipated both to increase network utilization and to enhance user perceived service quality. However, since the accuracy of the context information, and associated content predictions, might have a significant impact on performances, our investigations have been accounting for different content prediction capabilities as well as for various degrees of similarity in users´ content requests. The obtained results show that substantial gains both in terms of wireless network efficiency and improved user service perception can be achieved, as compared to classical content delivery methods, for a number of realistic scenarios.