OREANDA-NEWS. November 11, 2011. NEC Corporation (NEC; TSE: 6701) announced today the development of technologies for handling mobile data traffic by controlling wireless connections for mobile terminals and connecting to the most appropriate communications network.

Currently, mobile communications use mobile data offload to deal with increases in cellular network traffic from technologies that include 3G and LTE. Mobile data offload automatically switches wireless connections from cellular networks to other high-speed wireless networks, such as wireless LAN, when they are available. However, wireless LAN connections are frequently lost due to limited coverage, and security is weaker than cellular networks.

These newly developed technologies use OpenFlow controllers in mobile communication networks in order to control mobile terminal communication and to select the most appropriate networks. These technologies enable mobile communications operators to adapt to changing communications conditions that are unique for each service and application, which results in higher quality and more flexible communication services. The new technologies also enable the advantages of different networks to be provided simultaneously, for example, the high-speed networking of wireless LAN can be offered at the same time as the connectivity and security of cellular networks.

Furthermore, mobile terminal users can access the mobile networks that are most appropriate for each application, without reconfiguring network connections. Therefore, the quality of application functions can be improved without switching mobile networks for each application.

Characteristics of the newly developed technologies are as follows:
Network efficiency through network controlled mobile terminal communications
OpenFlow controllers are located in mobile networks and mobile terminals that have OpenFlow switch functionality for Android. This enables the selection of mobile networks, such as 3G and WiFi, to be controlled from the network side, rather than the mobile terminals themselves, which enables more efficient use of mobile networks.

Communications networks are switched in response to application needs, resulting in improved communications quality
Mobile networks can be selected based on "flow," the information stream that applications require. This enables the most appropriate network to be selected in response to application and device requirements.

Additionally, MVNO, which provide communication services using the infrastructure of telecommunication carriers, can improve the use of infrastructure by selecting mobile connections from multiple mobile networks with the OpenFlow controller on the network side.

Looking forward, NEC will continue to actively develop communication technologies and products using OpenFlow.

NEC demonstrates these technologies at the "C&C User Forum & iEXPO 2011," held at the Tokyo International Forum from Nov. 10 to Nov. 11.