The strategic objectives of the MULTINET project are to equip the large enterprises and SMEs with the necessary mobile broadband technology to support the Always Best Connected (ABC) paradigm communications. The heterogeneity and multiplicity of networks, available at various locations will enhance the user experience in terms of improved service performance, perceived Quality of Service (QoS) and reduced costs. This is achievable by means of the MULTINET communication system which will be capable of providing the network and application functionalities so that multiple simultaneous networks can be seamlessly handled to optimise communications in multiple dimensions; while sustaining the existing mobile industry and attracting new business revenue. The capabilities provided by MULTINET will facilitate mobile broadband multimedia communication services of high quality and functionality with an optimum cost, tailored to the communication offer provided.

The goal of the project MULTINET consists in the development and validation of an evolved Communication system that provides mobility to users in the context of mobile and wireless networks (IP based networks, in general), without modifying neither the existing network, nor the user applications, and in a transparent way to the user.

In order to develop a new methodology, several critical RTD problems have to be solved. MULTINET will provide the following enhancements of the state-of-the-art:

• To propose an efficient mechanism for multihoming mobile multimodal terminals or PANs.
• To develop algorithms for intelligent network selection, considering an user-centric approach, different QoS metrics in order to make the decision (delays, loses, available bandwidth, battery power…)
• To develop algorithms aimed at modification of bearer services on the fly to suit changes in the multimedia session

The key measures of success vary according to perspective. From a mobile operator’s viewpoint, anticipated benefits include increased service portfolio, customer support via provision of roaming services, high quality multimedia solutions thus increasing their revenue streams. Regarding the final user, enterprises and SMEs can obtain benefits through the new multimedia services that permit managing their activities from anywhere, with reduced battery power consumption and better pricing conditions. Such indicators and new metrics identified in the course of this research project will be specified and measured in the pilot implementations.