Recently, the augmented exploitation of video streaming facilities has abruptly enhanced bandwidth requisites via the internet. Generally, video streaming allows viewers to watch videos over the internet without the necessity of downloading them. Specifically, a chief portion of web/internet traffic, owing to live streaming, arrives from cardinal video sites like Netflix and YouTube [1]. In addition, video traffic involves video archives shared over the internet, video conferencing, internet video, and online games [2]. Slow web access is witnessed during peak periods like daytime when several customers are streaming videos simultaneously. This is likely to be extremely frustrating, particularly to those engaged in tasks that need an uninterrupted and rapid internet connection. Utilization of a major percentage of web traffic by video streaming services has raised heterogeneous concerns in the modern fast-pacing world. Several multimedia services like synergistic video gaming and HD video need high-speed connectivity, so the notion of fifth-generation (5G) ameliorates the end clients’ experience in handling these services. 5G technology is anticipated to provide innovative features compared to 4G by offering ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ubiquitous connectivity ‘anytime’ and ‘anywhere’ [3]. High-reliability and low-latency wireless communication methods are anticipated to become the chief attributes of these wireless networks [4]. With 5G networks, many services and applications can be accessible to remote clients/users. Consequently, clients expect improved network quality of service (QoS) with a greater quality standard [5]. Table 1 shows the different 5G ranges supported by 5G small cell types [6].

The difficulties with QoE management in networks are outlined in Fig. 1. In the world of 5G networking, QoE has recently drawn a lot of attention. The crucial goal of QoE is to maintain end users for accurately estimating the perceived standard of service, as well as to consider and evaluate the network’s QoS.

In fact, providing a great user experience while utilizing fewer network resources is the primary objective of network service providers. Furthermore, because the success of their business agreements heavily depends on the satisfaction of their customers, it is essential for these service providers to consider the impact of every network element on customer perception. In order to meet the tight QoE requirements of current video streaming systems, network operators typically implement a variety of network management strategies. But classifying video streaming that is QoE aware has become incredibly laborious. Therefore, creating better frameworks capable of achieving this objective has become essential. This article creates a QoE-aware framework for video streaming categorization in 5G systems in order to address this difficulty. This paper has integrated the HPT decision tree and the EHPT ensemble in the ML approach, with the EHPT ensemble having a higher accuracy due to its meticulous optimization of the gradient boosting methodology. The entire boosting procedure greatly enhances training time. This work trains a number of models on various subsets of the training dataset instead of building the best model feasible directly on the data and voting for the model that performs the best. EHPT ensemble XGBoost is frequently superior to conventional gradient boosting techniques. A large number of core parameters are accessible in the Python implementation, allowing for fine-tuning for increased precision and accuracy.

In [7], personalized QoE management in 5G networks was described using a data-driven structure. The authors in this work used ML algorithms for establishing frameworks capable of predicting QoE using QoS network parameters like 5G-specific and wireless-specific parameters. Furthermore, a tool for assessing video QoE was adopted for gathering necessary QoE information for training prediction frameworks. This work utilized heterogeneous machine learning (ML) algorithms like neural networks (NNs), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and gradient-boosted (GB) trees for forecasting QoE. The impact of vital wireless-specific determinants was also explored in this work. Experimental outcomes clarified that among all employed ML schemes, the SVM approach performed better and achieved considerably low error. However, this work suggested that the use of wireless-specific determinants alone for QoE forecasting cannot offer the desired results. [8] described a QoE-aware video streaming using a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) scheme. The presented QoE framework used the data gathered during video playback. The DRL scheme was employed mainly for QoE optimization and viewport prediction. Furthermore, an LSTM framework was adopted for viewport and bandwidth prediction. It was identified from the experimental outputs that the presented framework exhibited improved performance than the previously introduced 3D video frameworks. Additionally, the presented system offered 10%–15% performance amelioration and could be adapted to every situation under distinct QoE targets.

In [9], an ML method was utilized for classifying streaming video. The authors utilized a Markov decision process and NNs for identifying the class and source of video streams. This work precisely categorized similar sorts of streaming traffic into distinct services. The employed ML method considered packets gathered via a network interface and categorized the information stream into one of five video streaming services, including Amazon Prime, HBO, Netflix, YouTube tv, and YouTube. In [10], a video streaming assessment was conducted using the QoE framework in LTE systems. This work compared the QoE outputs from two distinct test benches, emulated and real and TCP-dependent video transport protocols. Additionally, it tested diverse propagation frameworks in the emulated setting to determine the one best matching the real conditions depending on QoE. The findings of this study revealed that the presented framework provided QoE quantification in a low-complexity and cost-effective manner. In [11], a supervised ML scheme was presented for forecasting video QoE in 5G systems. This work considered dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP video application in a practical emulation environment acquired from practical 5G traces in mobility and static scenarios for assessing QoE performance. In [12,13], Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP(DASH) has been governing network traffic in the recent era. DASH supplies layouts to deliver the best quality video streaming service on the internet. Dash adheres to ABS standards. The adaptive bit rate streaming (ABS) algorithms aim to detect a favourable quality of video streaming. ABS algorithms decide the quality of the segments to be downloaded based on the network’s available resources. The choice of the ABS algorithm plays a significant role in end-user satisfaction. It works on the principle of dividing a larger video file into a number of minuscule segments of equal intervals. Every segment is encrypted in varying bitrates and resolutions, and the illustration of individual segments is defined in the media presentation description (MPD) file. Based on the current network scenario, the user determines the video segments which can be played; the user chooses the segment with the most efficient bitrate feasible, which can be downloaded in that duration without causing any interruption. DASH users can swap between various video qualities to enhance the viewing experience based on the available network. Thus, it is necessary to know the network conditions for enhanced video distribution. Furthermore, an ML scheme was adopted for forecasting user satisfaction by considering network metrics like the sum of packets, throughput, and round-trip time. Simulations manifested that the ML scheme offered 87.63% QoE forecasting accuracy and 79% accuracy for mobility and static scenarios.

In [14], a framework for optimizing QoS-aware video streaming over wireless systems was presented. The presented structure fuses a media-conscious proxy for monitoring chief performance factors from multiple layers, distinct entities, and an ML-dependent decision engine for modelling sensed video quality. The presented architecture was completely integrated with LTE-reinforced packet core systems. This work also explored the ML-oriented schemes for providing a target QoE framework depending on the network, data link, and physical layer parameters. Statistical analysis and extensive experiments indicated that this framework could accurately model the effect of network stultifications on the 3D video user’s perception quality. In [15], an artificial intelligence-dependent scheme was presented for video stream categorization. The authors exploited video attributes of distinct time scales for analysis. Initially, video frame sequences of distinct time scales were input to the 3D system for attribute extraction, and then the attributes of distinct time scales were weighted and combined. Furthermore, after combining several sequential frameworks, the combined 3D deep learning (DL) framework was constructed. Simulations revealed that this framework offered 90.6% categorization accuracy and 2.9% performance amelioration. In [16], an ML-oriented approach for categorizing YouTube QoE was presented. This approach aimed at classifying end-users QoE while watching videos depending on the statistical characteristics of network traffic. This work utilized the ML approach for categorizing QoE depending on the traffic attributes computed for every video session. For categorization, this work employed 1060 distinct videos streamed across distinct bandwidth scenarios. It was viewed from simulations that the adopted ML-oriented approach offered 84% categorization accuracy regarding three ternary classifications (QoE classes involving high, medium, and low) and 91% accuracy regarding binary classification (QoE classes involving high and low).

An ML-dependent analysis and computation of video QoE were presented in [17]. The authors adopted a random forest scheme for video QoE analysis. The employed random forest framework was trained on estimated video quality measures using the baseline/reference videos. Results ascertained that this scheme offered 94% categorization accuracy. However, this work was not explored much in terms of video streaming categorization. In [18], a system for categorizing live video streaming was presented. The authors initially preprocessed the live video traffic packets purely depending on the statistical characteristics of network traffic packet flow. Here, traffic intensity was employed as a chief traffic form descriptor with certain additional transforms. This work investigated the categorization accuracy depending on diversified factors like traffic preprocessing type, traffic window length, and sampling time of traffic intensity. Findings declared that the traffic intensity samples offered 94% accuracy without auxiliary transforms. In [19], the prominence of QoE in 5G networks was discussed. The chief challenges, like an augmented quantity of information generation by advanced applications, the necessity for better quality services, and a large number of devices for connecting distinct radio access methods, were identified as crucial 5G challenges regarding QoE. The authors also presented a neural network-oriented approach for QoE computation. This work clarified that owing to NN’s capability to completely analyze the causal link between QoS network parameters and the resultant QoE; they are extremely suitable for achieving QoE self-optimization in 5G.

In [20], another methodology for video streaming categorization was presented. The authors in this work gathered a group of video traffic information from a realistic network. Furthermore, this information was preprocessed for choosing the desired attributes for classifying video traffic. The presented methodology offered 99.3% overall accuracy in categorizing video traffic. In [21], an ML approach was described for QoE-aware networks. This work aimed at exploiting ML schemes for modelling the correlation of distinct network and QoS parameters of the application layer to QoE. An empirical investigation depending on the ML scheme was provided in [22] for assessing QoE/QoS correlation. This work explored how distinct determinants contributed to QoE in a video streaming context. It described that the cardinal parameters influencing the QoE involved network parameters, terminal characteristics, video characteristics, and various customer profiles. ML classifiers were further employed for categorizing a QoE database. This work adopted six distinct ML schemes: SVM, DT, Naive Bayes, neural network, four-nearest neighbour, and RF. An instance categorization test was performed to choose the appropriate framework. It was explicitly observed from the outputs that DT and RF displayed better performance compared to the remaining ML schemes. Simulations indicated DT offered 74.8% precision, 74.5% f-measure, and 74.3% recall, while RF offered 75.2% precision, 75.2% f-measure, and 75.3% recall. Furthermore, a statistical investigation of classification was also presented to explore the effectiveness of RF and DT schemes. Statistical analysis outputs clearly manifested that the RF classifier superseded the DT approach. This work thus illustrated the appropriateness of ML techniques for the QoE/QoS correlation task.

In [23], practical video QoE monitoring was discussed. The authors introduced an ML-oriented approach for monitoring QoE measures for encoded video traffic. The transport and network layer data were employed as attributes for training ML classifiers necessary for deducing video QoE measures like rebuffering events and startup delay. Experimental assessments declared that the exploited ML-oriented approach offered 90% accuracy. In [24], the quality assessment of video streaming was discussed. The authors analyzed and compared distinct variations of target QoE assessment frameworks with and without ML schemes for video streaming. Performance analysis clarified that the hybrid frameworks performed better than QoS-initiated QoE approaches. Prior works on video QoE estimation have shown that network-level performances directly impact QoE. This motivates the use of machine learning to link the 5G network level measurements to QoE. Hence, in this article, video streaming is considered where prediction models are built by controlled experimentation that allows both the forecasting and monitoring of Video QoE using 5G network metrics. This study clarified that the ML-dependent framework slightly outperformed the framework without ML in the case of the same setting. Additionally, the findings of this work indicated that the available video QoE assessment frameworks still exhibit limited performance, thereby making it tedious to be applicable in realistic communication networks. Table 2 represents the comparison between ML-based QoE prediction models for video services with our proposed model.

The comparison between the proposed EHPT ensemble method and the existing ML algorithms attained prediction accuracies (%) is highlighted in Fig. 2.

The use of multimedia information is inescapable in daily life and is anticipated to grow rapidly in the next years. Greater throughput is made possible by 5G technology, which also greatly facilitates multimedia content streaming in a variety of applications like YouTube, Facebook, etc. The main goal of any video streaming technology is to provide the best possible quality of service (QoS) and quality of experience (QoE). Although it is predicted that the 5G system would provide better QoE, the challenge of balancing operator provisioning and meeting customer expectations remains a crucial concern. Numerous studies have recently been carried out to address this barrier and develop a QoE-aware network. ML frameworks have gained popularity recently for providing precise answers to complex problems and are widely used in a variety of fields. It has been demonstrated that ML approaches work well for a variety of classification problems. Therefore, the purpose of this work is to utilize an ML technique for classifying streaming video. Studies that have already been published employed ML techniques to predict video QoE in 5G systems. These studies assessed the quality of experience (QoE) of streaming approaches and used ML classifiers to predict the degree of user satisfaction. However, it was noted in these works that there was still a sizable area for improvement with reference to the accuracy measures. This work aims to optimize existing ML schemes by including the hyperparameter tuning concept and building enhanced ML classifiers for efficient QoE-aware video streaming categorization because employing the right tuning of ML schemes to achieve the necessary classification accuracy is laborious. Fig. 3 shows a comparison of the current worldwide data usage with mobile video use in various streams [33].

This methodology involves the network configuration and network construction, video packet streaming, ML-directed video streaming classification, and finally, performance evaluation of the developed ML approach. The block diagram of the proposed methodology is depicted in Fig. 4.

Simulations are conducted in this work using the software NS-3-mmwave and Python 2.7. The configuration of the 5G network is portrayed in Fig. 8.

Furthermore, video stream communication data from NS-3 simulation is employed for analysis, and the performance of the enhanced tuning ensemble and DT classifiers is assessed by considering diverse performance measures like precision, accuracy, recall, and computation time. The achieved values and simulation results are presented below in Table 4.

The simulation time (ms) for a 5G video stream (Mbits/s) is depicted, and the UDP packets of video communication are analyzed and displayed in Fig. 9. It could be viewed that for 10 ms, the video stream exhibits 1000 Mbits/s and for 15 ms also, the video stream exhibits 1000 Mbits/s. This is chiefly because the video transfer speed increases, reduce, and remains depending on the network traffic and the number of user access in the network.

Fig. 10 depicts the precision achieved by the developed EHPT ensemble and HPT DT classifier for a distinct number of packet flows. In Fig. 10, it can be observed that the EHPT ensemble classifier offers a greater precision value of 94.23% and the HPT DT classifier provides a precision value of 85.18%. Simulation outputs reveal that for greater packet flows, the EHPT ensemble classifier offers a greater precision value than the HPT DT classifier. Thus, it could be viewed from the precision performance evaluation that the EHPT ensemble classifier outperforms the HPT DT classifier regarding precision.

Fig. 11 depicts the recall value achieved by the developed EHPT ensemble and HPT DT classifier for a distinct number of packet flows. In Fig. 11, it can be observed that the EHPT ensemble classifier provides the highest recall value of 98% while the HPT DT classifier provides the highest recall value of 95.83%. The attained results clarify that for greater packet flows, the EHPT ensemble classifier offers a greater recall value than the HPT DT classifier. Thus, the evaluation of the recall performance of the presented classifiers manifests that the EHPT ensemble classifier outperforms the HPT DT classifier in terms of recall.

Fig. 12 depicts the accuracy value achieved by the developed EHPT ensemble and HPT DT classifier for a distinct number of packet flows. In Fig. 12, it could be observed that the EHPT ensemble classifier provides the highest accuracy value of 92.59% while the HPT DT classifier provides the highest accuracy value of 87%. Simulation outputs reveal that for greater packet flows, the EHPT ensemble classifier offers a greater accuracy value than the HPT DT classifier. Five simulations ran for each transmission of 20 packets, and the average of various performance values are plotted. The EHPT ensemble classifier outperforms the HPT DT classifier, according to the accuracy performance of the provided classifiers. According to Figs. 10–12, the confusion matrix of the video transfer flow during 5G video streaming determines the increase and fall in precision, recall, and accuracy values. From this video transfer research work, the undertaken problem is a good fit for machine learning using ensemble classification. Here, Ensemble classification predicted high accuracy (92.59%) compared to Decision Tree classification (87.037%).

This work presented an effective framework for QoE-aware video streaming categorization. It exploited video stream communication information from NS-3 simulation for analysis. A 5G network was configured and developed for transmitting video streaming, and then video packets were transferred. The video packet information was then fed to ML classifiers. In this work, enhanced ML classifiers like EHPT ensemble and HPT DT were developed for video streaming categorization. The classification performance of these classifiers was assessed and compared using distinct performance validation metrics. Simulation outputs explicitly confirmed that the implemented EHPT ensemble classifier displayed greater precision, accuracy, and recall scores than the HPT DT classifier. Moreover, the EHPT ensemble classifier exhibited faster computation time than the HPT DT classifier. Thus, the achieved results greatly manifested that the EHPT ensemble classifier greatly outperformed the HPT DT method in video streaming classification. Additionally, the findings of this work substantiated the enhanced ML classifier efficacy regarding QoE-aware video streaming categorization. Future work could involve building datasets based on each time slot’s ground truth and the properties of the temporal network layer in order to provide a more reliable machine-learning strategy for addressing anomalies.