Method and apparatus for providing smart network connection management

A network connection management method of a mobile device, the method comprising:

• executing a streaming service application;
• selecting one of a first network and a second network based on a communication state of the first network, a communication state of the second network and a tariff applied to the mobile device;
• and
• downloading content associated with the streaming service application from a streaming server using the selected network.

A mobile device, comprising:

• a memory configured to store a plurality of applications;
• a communication circuit including a first communication module and a second communication module, the first communication module being connected to a first network using a first communication protocol and the second communication module being connected to a second network using a second communication protocol;
• and
• a processor electrically connected with the communication circuit,
• wherein the processor is configured to:
• execute an application among the plurality of applications,
• select one of the first network and the second network based on a communication state of the first network, a communication state of the second network, a tariff applied to the mobile device, a service policy applied to the application, a performance criteria applied to the application, and a network selection criteria, and
• download data from a server associated with the application using the selected network.