A Vision for Multiaccess HTTP in 6G Networks

This paper presents a novel approach for retrieving HTTP content over multiple access networks, aiming to provide an efficient and simplified path toward multiaccess communication in 6G networks. Current multiaccess solutions, such as the Access Traffic Steering, Switching, and Splitting (ATSSS) standardized by 3GPP, often involve complex mechanisms and extensive network modifications. The presented approach, however, aligns with the vision of simpler and more efficient solutions in 6G. Unlike the ATSSS standards that rely on Multipath TCP (MPTCP) or Multipath QUIC (MPQUIC), the proposed approach operates at the HTTP layer, leveraging the protocol's byte-range capabilities. This eliminates the need for extensive network modifications, simplifies deployment, and offers an alternative option for ATSSS that applies to HTTP traffic. Simulations and real-world experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed solution in achieving near-optimal content retrieval times. This work lays the foundation for further research and standardization efforts towards enabling efficient and adaptable multiaccess HTTP frameworks in 6G networks.