Web browsing optimization over 2.5G and 3G: end-to-end mechanisms vs. usage of performance enhancing proxies

Published version on Wiley's platform: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/wcm.4562.5 Generation (2.5G) and Third Generation (3G) cellular wireless networks allow mobile Internet access withbearers specifically designed for data communications. However, Internet protocols under-utilize wireless widearea network (WWAN) link resources, mainly due to large round trip times (RTTs) and request–reply protocolpatterns. Web browsing is a popular service that suffers significant performance degradation over 2.5G and 3G. Inthis paper, we review and compare the two main approaches for improving web browsing performance over wirelesslinks: (i) using adequate end-to-end parameters and mechanisms and (ii) interposing a performance enhancingproxy (PEP) between the wireless and wired parts. We conclude that PEPs are currently the only feasible way forsignificantly optimizing web browsing behavior over 2.5G and 3G. In addition, we evaluate the two main currentcommercial PEPs over live general packet radio service (GPRS) and universal mobile telecommunications system(UMTS) networks. The results show that PEPs can lead to near-ideal web browsing performance in certain scenarios.Postprint (published version

Resource allocation for multimedia messaging services over EGPRS

The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is a new bearer service for GSM that greatly simplifies wireless access to packet data networks, such as the Internet, corporate LANs or to mobile portals. It applies a packet radio standard to transfer user data packets in wellorganized way between Mobile Stations (MS) and external packet data networks. The Enhanced General Packet Radio Service (EGPRS) is an extension of GPRS, offering much greater capacity. These enhancements have allowed the introduction of new services like Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS). MMS enables messaging with full content versatility, including images, audio, video, data and text, from terminal to terminal or from terminal to e-mail. The Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) is the WAP Forum standard for the presentation and delivery of wireless information and telephony services on mobile phones and other wireless terminals. In this thesis it is indicated that efficient radio resource allocation is necessary for managing different types of traffic in order to maintain the quality demands for different types of services. A theoretical model of MMS and WAP traffic is developed, and based on this model a simulator is implemented in Java programming language. This thesis proposes two techniques to improve the radio resource allocation algorithm performance called "radio link condition diversification" and "interactive traffic class prioritization". The radio link condition diversification technique defines minimum radio link quality that allows the user to receive their packets. The interactive traffic class prioritization technique defines different priorities for WAP packets and for MMS packets. Both techniques give good results in increasing user's perception of services and increasing network efficiency. This thesis indicates also that the prioritization mechanism successfully improves the response time of the interactive service by up to 80% with a setting of priority for interactive traffic class and decreasing the performance of the background traffic. This decrease is within a range acceptable by the end-user and that the link conditions limit mechanism has an advantage in terms of resource utilization

A comparative investigation on the application and performance of Femtocell against Wi-Fi networks in an indoor environment

Due to the strenuous demands on the available spectrum and bandwidth, alongside the ever increasing rate at which data traffic is growing and the poor quality of experience QoE) faced with indoor communications, in order for cellular networks to remain dominant in areas pertaining to voice and data services, cellular service providers have to reform their marketing and service delivery strategies together with their overall network rchitecture. To accomplish this leap forward in performance, cellular service operators need to employ a network topology, which makes use of a mix of macrocells and small cells, effectively evolving the network, bringing it closer to the end-­‐user. This investigation explores the use of small cell technology, specifically Femtocell technology in comparison to the already employed Wi-­‐Fi technology as a viable solution to poor indoor communications.The performance evolution is done by comparing key areas in the every day use of Internet communications. These include HTTP testing, RTP testing and VoIP testing. Results are explained and the modes of operation of both technologies are compared

A Simple Web Platform Solution for M-Learning

Nowadays the role of educational platforms is more than obvious, thanks to websites and modern platforms like Microsoft SharePoint designed for e-learning. We consider that the next generation of learning platforms will be m-learning platforms. These kind of platforms offer first of all mobility for the potential users of PDAs, pocket PCs, smart phones and other modern mobile devices, discovered and developed in last years. One of the most important aspect of these manners of e-learning is the display mode. Classic systems like personal computers have a bigger screen, modern portable devices have a few inches screens and the problem is to adapt the structure of websites and platforms for pocket PC screens and in the same time to develop the capability to produce same experience and usefulness to all users.Platform, M-learning, Discussion Forum, Search Engine, JavaScript, IIS, Port Forwarding

Wireless communications in the new millennium and third generation wireless networks

At the end of the 20 century, and at the beginning of this one, wireless communications are making large advances. The new technologies are on the way to provide a high-speed, high-quality information exchange between handheld terminals, and information repositories. The so called 2,5 generation networks, using the techniques like the HSCSD1, GPRS2, EDGE3, and the 3r generation wireless systems will help the wireless world to reach those goals. In this thesis I will start from the first and second-generation wireless networks, and then look into the 2,5 generation and 3rd generation wireless communications more in detail. The latest advances in the wireless world are the main focus of this paper although a short history of wireless communications is also given. The various aspects related to 3rd generation systems will be explored in this thesis, for example the air interface discussions, its time scale, its elements like the mobile equipment, software and security, USLM4, services that will be offered, etc. In addition, the technical factors and key technologies that are likely to shape the wireless network environment of the future will be explored. This part is expected to help us to see beyond the 3rd generation

Design and evaluation of M-Commerce applications.

yesRecent advances in wireless technology have increased the number of mobile device users and given pace to the rapid development and deployment of e-commerce to the mobile user. This new type of e-commerce, conducting transactions via mobile terminals, is called mobile commerce (mcommerce). Due to its inherent characteristics such as ubiquity, personalization, flexibility, and dissemination, mobile commerce promises business unprecedented market potential, greater productivity and higher profitability. With this in mind, it is perhaps not surprising that mobile commerce is growing much faster than its fixed counterpart. Unlike e-commerce, m-commerce is more personalized and there is a need for a novel approach to evaluating m-commerce applications. This paper examines the issues in designing mcommerce applications not only from a technical viewpoint but also from the end users¿ perspective