OTT-MNO Collaboration for a network-layer ML-based QoE prediction for video streaming over 5G O-RAN

It is well-known that, without access to application-layer parameters controlled by Over-The-Top (OTT) providers, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) struggle to accurately predict customers’ Quality of Experience (QoE). While some previous proposals have suggested interaction between OTTs and MNOs, they have faced challenges in terms of practical implementation and limited application scenarios. This work aims to advance these solutions with two key contributions. First, following the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) architecture, we propose adding components that integrate a machine learning (ML)-based QoE prediction model, deployed by the MNO, into the O-RAN system. By establishing specific data-sharing interfaces between OTTs and MNOs, our approach helps MNOs overcome the limitations in updating their quality prediction modules. Second, we present a network-aware, ML-driven QoE prediction model that captures the relationship between the resulting QoE and various network parameters, such as signal-to-interference-noise ratio (SINR), channel quality indicator (CQI), network resource blocks (RBs), throughput, and device mobility. Among seven considered ML regressors, the Gradient Boosting (GB) achieved the highest QoE prediction performance in terms of R2 (0.906) and RMSE (0.259).