Methods and apparatus for testing alternative wireless connections and selecting a wireless connection

Abstract

A wireless terminal communicates test packets via alternative wireless access points, e.g., a WiFi access point, a 4G access point, a 5G access point, to a test server to evaluate alternative wireless links. Test scores are generated for each of the wireless links being evaluated based the performance of previous test packets transmitted over the link. In some embodiments, the controlled rate of test packet transmission over a wireless link is a function of WT speed and/or link score. Link test scores may be, and sometime are, conditionally cost adjusted based on the type of communications network, e.g., scores for more expensive networks, e.g., 4G cellular, are reduced to favor more inexpensive networks such as WiFi. The wireless terminal selects one or more of the alternative wireless connections to use for communication with a communications session end point based on the link scores.