Eva Ibarrola

Web QoE Evaluation in Multi-agent Networks: Validation of ITU-T G.1030

Users requirements have become a key factor for any Quality of Service (QoS) management model to succeed. The advent and rise of new broadband services and network architectures (Triple-Play-Services, NGN…) depends on the ability of providers to achieve users expectations in these scenarios. For that reason, the overall end users perception (Quality of Experience – QoE) must be audited, on a regular basis, to address changing users needs. This paper presents a general system developed to evaluate QoE on IP networks. The system architecture is designed to be capable of emulating multi agent networks and dynamically changing conditions. In addition, the results of a Web browsing QoE experiment, laid out within this emulation system, are described. The experiment was conducted on the basis of ITU-T Recommendation G.1030, and aimed to update the perceptual model, provided in this Recommendation, to today’s user requirements and technical improvements.

Internet QoS regulation in future networks: a user-centric approach

In the NGN environment, networks are designed to be multiservice, supporting a wide range of premium services. Each of these services may have different QoS requirements based on the overall end users perception. New QoS policies are required that adapt the traditional QoS regulatory model to this emerging context. This article presents a user-centric approach to identify key factors contributing to the development of QoS regulation for future networks. A case study shows the application of our user-centric QoS model to Internet QoS regulation in Spain. The results of the study demonstrate the need to adapt current regulatory frameworks to ensure competition, pluralism, and diversity in the new network environment.

A new global quality of service model: QoXphere

The telecommunications sector has experienced significant changes over the past few years. The advent and rise of new applications and services, together with a competitive market, has led to a complex scenario in which quality of service plays a major role. Under this condition, novel QoS regulation and standardization initiatives are required. During the last few years new terms and concepts, such as quality of experience or QoS perceived, have been included in the updated and new QoS-related standards as to better integrate the users point of view, as opposed to only network performance parameters. The influence of the users satisfaction on the quality of business has also been given increased attention in the regulation and standardization bodies recently. The result is a loose collection of metrics and models that are not standardized and do not integrate all aspects of quality. Such integration is necessary to assure the successful development of this sector. This paper presents a new and integrated QoS model (QoXphere) that is spherical, adaptive, and multi-layered.

Can Multisensorial Media Improve Learner Experience

In recent years, the emerging immersive technologies (e.g. Virtual/Augmented Reality, multisensorial media) bring brand-new multi-dimensional effects such as 3D vision, immersion, vibration, smell, airflow, etc. to gaming, video entertainment and other aspects of human life. This paper reports results from an European Horizon 2020 research project on the impact of multisensoral media (mulsemedia) on educational learner experience. A mulsemedia-enhanced test-bed was developed to perform delivery of video content enhanced with haptic, olfaction and airflow effects. The results of the quality rating and questionnaires show significant improvements in terms of mulsemedia-enhanced teaching.

Toward standardized internet speed measurements for end users: current technical constraints

Many years of research have been dedicated toward the definition of sophisticated quality of service (QoS) measurement tools and methods. Nonetheless, the results given to end users by most commonly used online speed measurement tools are still far from being accurate. Among other factors, the reliability of the measurement methods is affected by different static and dynamic constraints of involved network nodes and TCP/IP implementations. The clarification of such uncertainties will help establish the baseline for the definition of any comparable and technically feasible measurement methodology, in terms of measurement periods, number of concurrent connections, and convergence time. This article presents a comprehensive description of the research work and proposes mechanisms, aiming to obtain a full understanding of cross-layer effects during a speed test targeting end users.

Internet quality of service measurement tool for both users and providers

This paper offers an approach to the definition of access speed measurements. An ever growing increase of Internet Service Providers (ISP) and different types of technologies in the Internet access, makes it difficult for users to decide which is the best or most suitable connection to satisfy their needs. From these considerations, the possibility for Internet users of obtaining a real and neutral measurement of their access may help them to decide if it is covering their demands or, on the contrary, the provider is not complying with the terms of the contract. To perform this measurement, an Internet speed test has been defined, as well as the way to obtain a measure which can comply with the objective of giving users a proper idea of how their Internet access is working. This project is included in the Quality of Service (QoS) investigation area in our investigation group.

Quality and standardization in technology-enhanced learning

Education and technological advances have enabled digital learning technologies to become a key pillar holding up one of the main United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Quality Education. Technology-enhanced learning strategies have led to innovative ICT applications for the development of new improved learning and teaching practices aiding to guarantee inclusive and equitable quality education and promote opportunities for all. Nonetheless, there is still a big challenge to get hold of all the capabilities of these technology-enhanced learning strategies: improving the learner quality of experience (QoE). This paper presents an innovative technology-enhanced learning initiative that aims to attract students to STEM education and improve access for students with disabilities through the analysis of the learner QoE. Moreover, in this paper some of the required standards and specifications to be used for developing this initiative are identified. Another key contribution of the paper is that it explores the necessity of new related standards and introduces some novel proposals for standardization in this area.

Why we still need standardized internet speed measurement mechanisms for end users

After several years of research towards sophisticated QoS measurement tools and methods, the results given to end-users by most commonly used on-line speed measurement tools are still far from being precise. In order to define a reliable Internet speed measurement methodology for end-users, the impact that the static and dynamic constraints of network nodes and TCP/IP implementations could impose must be first carefully analyzed. Such constraints will determine the measurement methodology to be defined in terms of measurement periods, number of concurrent connections and convergence time by deployment of controlled simulation/emulation environments and real world comparisons. This paper presents a detailed description of the works and leaves hints to be followed, aiming to get a full understanding of cross-layer effects during a speed test targeting end-user.

A cloud platform for QoE evaluation: QoXcloud

The current financial situation, together with the new market conditions, has led to major changes in the ICT sector over the last few years. Many of the services that were once only offered by operators are now being provided by third parties through the cloud. This situation has promoted new business models against the traditional ones. Furthermore, these economic changes have conducted to socio-cultural transformations with great impact on the users behaviors. In this paper a cloud platform for the measurement and evaluation of the Quality of Experience (QoE) is presented. The platform is based in a model (QoXphere) that ensures the user satisfaction in terms of Quality of Service (QoS) and the provider economic benefits, as demanded in current market situation. In addition, the proposed cloud architecture intends to aid to advance in the work item opened recently in ITU-T to establish an ITU recognition procedure of testing laboratories with competence in ITU-T Recommendations.

Assessing Internet performance over mobile networks: From theory to practice

The proper execution of performance tests is of utmost importance for the analysis and evaluation of Internet-related technologies, protocols and deployment strategies. There are plenty of tools available for experimenters ranging from simulation tools, emulation equipment, to small and large scale experimentation testbeds. Each of these performance evaluation frameworks introduces a series of capabilities and drawbacks. Additionally, there is a need for using a common methodology to perform different performance tests and to create comparable outcomes. Seeking for the standardization of reliable and comparable Internet speed measurements and trying to provide end-users with trustworthy measurement tools, different SDOs have standardized different measurement methodologies. This paper focuses on the applicability of the distinct measurement frameworks and methodologies in the field of mobile Internet, with special focus on the impact of using TCP over mobile broadband connections. The paper describes a series of experiments over different frameworks and, based on the obtained results, identifies the implications of the different types of performance tests into the evaluation outcomes and states the need for large scale measurements.