Operator's RAT Selection Policies Based on the Fittingness Factor Concept

This paper considers a heterogeneous radio access network scenario where different Radio Access Technologies (RATs) are jointly managed. The RAT selection algorithm is based on the fittingness factor concept, which is a generic representation of the different factors that may influence the RAT selection decision. The flexibility provided by the fittingness factor characterization is illustrated in this paper with two different examples of operator's policies for RAT selection, which are implemented by means of different settings of this factor.