A MEC approach to improve QoE of video delivery service in urban spaces

Within a 5G mobile network scenario, this paper adopts Multi-Access Edge Computing (MEC) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technological frameworks to evaluate the gain in terms of user Quality of Experience (QoE) that can be achieved when contents and server of a video delivery service move from the cloud at the edge of the Radio Access Network. The application scenario we set up envisions a video streaming service geared a small group of individuals who have strong social ties and who move in an urban space. The scaling up of this emergent type of social interaction is set to become in the near future highly demanding for the resources of mobile operators. The paper recreates the network infrastructure of a mobile operator in the city of Milano. We model network conditions through Mininet, and manage (computing, network and storage) resources by means of an orchestrator named OpenVolcano. The paper shows that, compared to the traditional cloud approach, a MEC one provides better QoE to group members simply taking advantage both of the proximity and distribution of mini data centers and of proper resource orchestration.