Leveraging network and traffic measurements for content distribution and interpersonal communication services with sufficient quality

In this paper, we discuss research problems for enabling content distribution and supporting real-time interpersonal communication services (e.g. voice and video) over best effort networks with sufficient quality. We take a practical view of content distribution and quality, and this is the reason for the term “sufficient”. We argue that the understanding of quality as perceived by the user is a key factor in this context, but also that the understanding of context dependence is a key factor for delivering services which are “good enough” to make the user satisfied. We base our assumptions upon results from the Celtic TRAMMS project, and we describe how to leverage upon the framework for traffic measurements that was built up in that project. Moreover, we identify key technological components that are common for optimization of content delivery and real-time interpersonal communication services such as VoIP and videoconferencing. We also describe how the research problems stated will be tackled in the newly started IPNQSIS project.