Proactive vertical handover optimizations in the 3GPP evolved packet core

Mobility in a wireless heterogeneous scenario in which the mobile devices are able to connect to more than one access technology available in their vicinity requires a re-consideration of the access network reselection mechanisms as to ensure seamless handovers for real deployments. This paper describes and evaluates a new proactive vertical handover optimization which enables a fast reselection, independent and in addition to the classic proactive procedures, using as a central concept that in specific conditions, the access network selection functionality located in the network should trigger a network internal proactive procedure which does not imply a high usage of the target access network resources according to the probability that a handover will be necessary in the near future as t o reduce the actual handover delay. This concept is exemplified on the 3GPP Evolved Packet Core and evaluated on a minimal prototype implementation.