Intelligent Mobile Access Selection Simplifies Smartphone Use for Vodafone

Vodafone Germany, in cooperation with Cisco and Chemring Technology Solutions, has completed a trial demonstrating how smartphone users can more easily access the Internet via a Wi-Fi or mobile data connection, thanks to a new intelligent mobile access solution solution.

This innovative solution aims to ensure that customers always use the best available access technology. To achieve this, the solution can switch between the mobile and Wi-Fi networks, depending on which provides the best user experience, based on time or location, as well as the load on the mobile or Wi-Fi networks. This also avoids common issues when logging into portals, as well as slow or inactive Wi-Fi connections. This approach will make poor Wi-Fi connection a thing of the past.

Selection of the best access technology is based on intelligent algorithms and rules which take into account location, time and current measurements on the customer’s smartphone. Furthermore, it includes historical data, which makes it possible to make a decision based on congestion trends. Customers are also able to set preferences to, for example, connect automatically to his or her preferred Wi-Fi at home or in the office.

The pilot ran in three German cities, leveraging Network Intelligence Software from the Cisco Policy Suite and intelligent device software for Android and iPhone smartphones from Chemring Technology Solutions. The intelligent device is responsible for applying the policy rules, as well as ensuring the connection quality by running performance measurements of potential Wi-Fi and mobile networks in the background. These measurements report back to the network in order to identify trends for the different hotspots. Furthermore, the intelligent device takes care of the login process to Wi-Fi hotspots.

This helps Vodafone, a provider of fast, high-performance fixed and mobile networks, push ahead with the integration of its mobile and Wi-Fi infrastructure. Customers would benefit from simpler, trouble-free use of their devices while maintaining the same high, stable connection quality.