%0 Journal Article
%T Towards a QoE-Driven Resource Control in LTE and LTE-A Networks
%A Gerardo G¨®mez
%A Javier Lorca
%A Raquel Garc¨ªa
%A Quiliano P¨¦rez
%J Journal of Computer Networks and Communications
%D 2013
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2013/505910
%X We propose a novel architecture for providing quality of experience (QoE) awareness to mobile operator networks. In particular, we describe a possible architecture for QoE-driven resource control for long-term evolution (LTE) and LTE-advanced networks, including a selection of KPIs to be monitored in different network elements. We also provide a description and numerical results of the QoE evaluation process for different data services as well as potential use cases that would benefit from the rollout of the proposed framework. 1. Introduction The convergence of wireless networks and multimedia communications, linked to the swift development of services and the increasing competition, has caused user expectations of network quality to rise. Network quality has become one of the main targets for the network optimization and maintenance departments. Traditionally, network measurements such as accessibility, maintainability, and quality were enough to evaluate the user experience of voice services [1]. However, for data services, the correlation between network measurements and user benefits is not as straightforward. Firstly, the data system, due to the use of packet switching, is affected by the performance of individual nodes and protocols through which information travels, and, secondly, radio resources are now shared among different applications. Under these conditions, the performance evaluation of data services is usually carried out by monitoring terminals on the real network. The end-to-end quality experienced by an end user results from a combination of elements throughout the protocol stack and system components. Thus, the performance evaluation of the service requires a detailed performance analysis of the entire network (from the user equipment up to the application server or remote user equipment). Quality of experience (QoE) is a subjective measurement of the quality experienced by a user when he uses a telecommunication service. The aim pursued when assessing the quality of service (QoS) may be the desire to optimize the operation of the network from a perspective purely based on objective parameters, or the more recent need of determining the quality that the user is actually achieving, as well as its satisfaction level. However, the QoE goes further and takes into account the satisfaction a user receives in terms of both content and use of applications. In this sense, the introduction of smartphones has been a quantitative leap in user QoE expectations. Traditionally, QoE has been evaluated through subjective tests carried out on the
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/jcnc/2013/505910/