System and method for providing preferential connectivity to wi-fi networks

A device, comprising:

• a processing system including a processor;
• and
• a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:
• receiving connectivity preferences of a mobile device;
• detecting a triggering event indicating a preferential connectivity requirement from a mobile application of the mobile device;
• applying a hash function to a distinct identifier of the mobile device to derive a base connection probability;
• determining a connection probability for the mobile device to connect to a Wi-Fi network, wherein the connection probability is based on the connectivity preferences and one or more handling instructions or the triggering event;
• adjusting the base connection probability according to the handling instructions or the triggering event, thereby forming an adjusted connection probability;
• and
• authorizing a connection of the mobile device to the Wi-Fi network responsive to the adjusted connection probability exceeding a predetermined threshold.

A non-transitory machine-readable medium, comprising executable instructions that, when executed by a processing system including a processor, facilitate performance of operations, the operations comprising:

• receiving connectivity preferences of a mobile device;
• detecting a triggering event from a mobile application of the mobile device, wherein the triggering event indicates a preferential connectivity requirement to a Wi-Fi network;
• applying a hash function to a distinct identifier of the mobile device to derive a base connection probability;
• determining a connection probability for the mobile device to connect to the Wi-Fi network based on the connectivity preferences and one or more handling instructions or the triggering event;
• adjusting the base connection probability according to the handling instructions or the triggering event, thereby forming an adjusted connection probability;
• dynamically adjusting a predetermined threshold for connection based on overall demand and capacity of the Wi-Fi network;
• and
• authorizing connection of the mobile device to the Wi-Fi network when the adjusted connection probability exceeds the predetermined threshold.