Optimization of radio resource management schemes in UMTS using pricing

In this paper, we determine the optimal CAC strategy in UMTS systems based on pricing. We investigate comparatively three connection admission control schemes, which are: (i) a measurement-based approach wherein a predictive mechanism is used to anticipate users' arrivals, (ii) a squeezing-based approach where lesser sensitive data flows see their SIR reduced to minimal predetermined values so as to accommodate higher priority flows and (iii) a plain CAC that accepts users simply upon resource availability and no priorities are implemented. This comparison is carried out using two pricing schemes, flat pricing and a service-based one where the user pays for what he gets. Our results show that the squeezing approach outperforms the other two with respect to both pricing schemes. As of the latter, service-based pricing yields higher revenue at the possible cost of increasing complexity.