Multi-leader multi-follower stackelberg game among Wi-Fi, small cell and macrocell networks

Wi-Fi, small cells and macrocell networks serve users with different advantages and drawbacks. In this paper, we propose a multi-leader multi-follower Stackelberg game between these three types of networks and mobile users. In the multi-leader game, each network first sets the optimal price according to the behaviors of the other networks and the prediction of each mobile user´s optimal strategies. Subsequently, mobile users choose their optimal network, accordingly. In the proposed game, there exists a Stackelberg equilibrium between the leader level and the follower level, and two Nash Equilibria within leaders and within followers, respectively. This fact differentiates the proposed work from most existing literature. Simulation results show that the proposed approach yields high social welfare at the equilibrium.