Helping smartphones switch seamlessly between networks
When the internet was invented four decades ago, the assumption was that devices would be fixed and connected to a single network. But the advent of mobile phones gave the lie to this idea. “A smartphone can be attached to two networks at the same time, and this is very common,” explains Denis Périquet, co-founder and CEO of Tessares and MPA project coordinator. “But when your smartphone starts to exchange data with the outside world – sending a message, retrieving an email, accessing Facebook, for example – it will select from the available networks which one to use.” By default, smartphones will always try to use Wi-Fi if available (because it is cheaper) and, if not, will select cellular. Two issues can arise from this. Starting a data session on Wi-Fi and moving out of the Wi-Fi coverage creates handover problems when switching to the cellular network, either stalling or having to restart. Edge-of-network problems can happen if you are at a location where the Wi-Fi is poor. As the smartphone uses Wi-Fi by default, it sticks to this poor connection delivering a very poor user experience. The EU-funded MPA project developed a solution which leverages a new internet protocol called Multipath TCP (MPTCP). This allows a single data session to use multiple networks at the same time. “In our smartphone context, this means that a data session (downloading an image, sending an email, watching a Netflix series) can use both Wi-Fi and cellular networks at the same time,” says Périquet.
A multipath solution
The MPTCP-based solution relies on two pieces of software, one sitting in the smartphone itself, and one embedded in the network of the mobile operator. The latter software was developed during the MPA project. The solution tackles the handover problem as such: the smartphone is initially attached to both Wi-Fi and cellular, but Wi-Fi has a higher priority and is used at the start of the session. When going out of Wi-Fi coverage, the smartphone will progressively start sending/receiving data over the cellular network. “For the end user, it looks like a very smooth transition, giving a great user experience,” adds Périquet. For edge-of-network issues, the smartphone notices that the Wi-Fi is poor and combines both Wi-Fi and cellular, meaning people do not have to switch off Wi-Fi manually.
Developing with the help of EU funding
Under the MPA project, Tessares took several steps to develop the MPTCP. This included standardisation activities, bringing the technology under the standards of 3GPP – the body developing protocols for mobile telecommunication. The team developed the software further and tested it both in their lab and in the labs of mobile operators. They also carried out field trials with the new system. “This type of project takes time and requires many resources. The EU funding was key to supporting all these activities,” notes Périquet.
Bringing the solution to market
The MPA team successfully developed the network-side piece of software and demonstrated in field trials that the solution works. The product was presented through a live demonstration during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in 2022. “The solution is almost ready for commercialisation once smartphones can support the capability,” says Périquet.
Keywords
MPA, smartphone, network, seamless, transition, solution, market, internet
