Overlay networks in the West and the East: a techno-economic analysis of mobile virtual network operators

The purpose of this study is to examine cross-national data in order to identify possible factors related to the observable patterns of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) penetration. For this purpose, a mobile market structure is analyzed considering economic factors related to the penetration of MVNOs. MVNOs have gained popularity in Western markets, but have a dismal track record in non-Western regions. In comparing the different regions, this study analyzes how the MVNO market has changed and what opportunities and/or threats network operators and potential MVNO entrants are likely to face. This study conducts an economic assessment of market structure and the environment for different countries’ MVNO penetration, in order to compute key indicators. Cluster/factor analysis tools are used to analyze the data on market structure in order to group countries according to their market environments. In addition, regression equation analysis is used to investigate the relations of MVNO penetration and independent variables. The results show that MVNO penetration significantly relates to market structure and performance. These results also imply an appropriate policy to promote MVNO diffusion.     

M2M虚拟运营的商业模式研究

M2M市场在未来几年拥有较大的增长空间,随着移动转售业务牌照的发放,M2M将成为虚拟运营商可以切入的具备潜力的市场领域之一。探讨M2M虚拟运营的商业模式,分析国际开展M2M虚拟运营的案例,并给出国内开展M2M虚拟运营的建议。     

A study of MVNO diffusion and market structure in the EU,US, Hong Kong,and Singapore

Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO’s) are emerging as alternative channels for network operators to increase market share and drive traffic over their networks. MVNO’s have gained popularity recently in Europe, but have a dismal track record in Asia. In comparing the two regions, this study analyzes how the MVNO market has changed and what opportunities and/or threats network operators and potential MVNO entrants are likely to face. The essential question in next generation MVNO’s is how the roles of mobile network operators, service providers and content producers will change current and future value chains. This study conducts an economic assessment of market structure and environment for different countries’ MVNO diffusion. The data on market structure is analyzed by means of factor analysis techniques in order to group countries according to their market environments. Then, structural equation modeling is used to investigate the relations of MVNO diffusion and independent variables. The results show that the MVNO diffusion significantly relates to market and industry structure.     

Alternatives for mobile operators in the competitive 3G and beyond business

The importance of analyzing different business models and technologies in the mobile industry has become more crucial for the investment policy of the telecom operators. This paper aims to cover some of the most interesting business alternatives in providing the new 3G and beyond services including cases where the operator already has an existing second-generation cellular network and perhaps even a license for the 3G UMTS network, and cases where the operator does not have any existing network. Three cases for incumbents and new entrants are foreseen, leaving alternatives for new competing 3G technology deployment or acting as a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) without owning any radio infrastructure. A techno-economic approach has been used to identify business opportunities and quantify the potential profitability of different kind of business players. The scenarios have been analyzed in the Western European context by different country groups that are not exactly representative of any defined country, but rather share typical demographic characteristics.     

Technoeconomic evaluation of the major telecommunication investment options for European players

This article summarizes the major results from European projects drawing final conclusions and recommendations from the technoeconomic evaluation of three telecommunications market studies. It presents an analysis addressing a wide range of crucial telecommunications questions debated today. The business cases are: seamless mobile IP service provision, 3G mobile virtual network operators (MVNO), and fixed networks for broadband IP services. Extensive market analysis has been carried out for modeling demand, penetrations, and tariff structures for new mobile services and broadband services as an input to the business cases. Results show that over a 10-year study period, UMTS business is profitable in most cases for established operators with reasonable market share. The 3G MVNO business case is profitable under typical conditions when MVNO yields about 10 percent penetration, depending on the country type. Provision of fixed broadband services with a fiber to the curb solution is viable in dense urban and urban areas, but not in suburban environments, while fiber to the home is viable only in dense urban areas, despite the selection of protocol (ATM vs. Ethernet). Furthermore, broadband wireless access (BWA) systems, in dense urban and urban areas, show quite promising economic results.     

Determination of the Optimal Access Charge for the Mobile Virtual Network Operator System

The introduction of a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) system is expected to increase consumer benefits, boost competition in the mobile market, utilize idle bandwidth, and expedite mobile‐fixed line convergence and growth in the mobile Internet market. This research endeavors to study the optimal access charge for an MVNO system, which is expected to be introduced to the Korean mobile communications market. We found that the optimal access charge is higher in the interdependent model than in the independent model if demand for mobile phone service is based on a substitution relationship. We also found that the optimal access charge is higher than the marginal cost.     

The Broadband Access Facility

The deployment of broadband access networks will revolutionise many aspects of society in the early years of the next millennium. Manufacturers, telecommunications providers and cable television operators world-wide are investing heavily on research into networks that provide broadband multimedia services to customers. BT has developed a prototype of a full service access network that can connect customers via optical fibre, digital subscriber line or radio technologies. This paper describes the physical implementation of the prototype network and the wide range of services that it can support.This prototype network, referred to as the 'broadband access facility' is enabling BT and its partners to understand the best access architectures for a given environment through practical testing. The network now serves as an experimental platform, that can be used for communicating broadband concepts, designing operational processes, developing management solutions and testing advanced applications.The full service access networks (FSAN) initiative is a collaboration involving fourteen of the world's leading telecommunications network operators and major equipment manufacturers. Its vision is to create a shared requirements specification for access systems supporting narrowband and broadband services. This common specification will mean that broadband network components can be developed for world markets, thus raising volumes and driving down unit costs. The common system specification is based around an ATM/SDH (asynchronous transfer mode/synchronous digital hierarchy) core network, with local optical fibre distribution via an ATM PON (passive optical network). DSL (digital subscriber line) systems maximise reuse of existing copper plant. The exact DSL system used depends upon where the optical system is terminated, e.g. in the local exchange, cabinet, kerb or home. Hence this broadband access system can support a range of access architectures — this flexibility is fundamental to the consensus achieved in FSAN.     

Modelling MNO and MVNO’s dynamic interconnection relations: is cooperative content investment profitable for both providers?

We consider a Mobile Network Operator (MNO) who shares dynamically his limited resource spectrum with a Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) lacking the infrastructure. We start by introducing at each time period a three-level game: in the first step the MNO defines the wholesale access charge that the MVNO pays per traffic unit sent on his network and allocates his scarce resource between his own consumers and the MVNO; in a second step, both operators compete on their retail prices, the MNO discriminating between the market segments while the MVNO invests in contents to target niche markets or add value to her company; finally the consumers choose one of the providers?? offers or none depending on their intrinsic preferences and on the opportunity cost values. The game admits a unique equilibrium. In a second part, a regulatory authority forces both providers to use cooperative content investment i.e., the MNO now shares the MVNO??s content investment cost; in exchange this latter agrees to share her revenue. The equilibrium is still uniquely defined at each time period. Besides, we check numerically that depending on the operators?? power relation, such a contract can increase both operators?? utilities and consumer welfare, and incite the MVNO to invest more in contents.     

Evolvable Internet Architecture （EIA）

The end-to-end attribute of the Internet enables easy modification and deployment of applications running at the host. Competition among these applications promotes the development of the Internet. However,new protocols related to the core layer,and network routers and switches are often hard to successfully implement. This paper proposes an Evolvable Internet Architecture (EIA). It suggests that new network architectures can be plugged into network equipment or into a host through interfaces provided by EI...     

聚焦场景的10G PON精准部署方案

当前千兆用户和千兆应用迅猛发展,各运营商都开始加快千兆光网建设,但在10G PON口升级过程中存在设备造价高及网络建设复杂性高两个难点,通过建立“GPON千兆承载能力测算模型”“千兆投资效益分析模型”和“千兆价值小区识别模型” 3个模型,模拟测算某移动网络演进时最佳的10G PON口部署场景,实现10G PON口精准部署,高效支撑千兆业务发展。3个模型适用于任何地区任意运营商,只需要输入对应PON现状数据及小区现状数据,即可模拟输出相应的10G PON部署场景。     

Game theory-based attack and defense analysis in virtual wireless networks with jammers and eavesdroppers

Dynamic spectrum sharing and cognitive radio networks were proposed to enhance the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum utilization. However, there are several challenges to realize them in real systems, such as sensing uncertainty causing issues to licensed users, business models for licensed service providers. Wireless virtualization is regarded as a technology that leverages service level agreements to sublease unused or underutilized RF spectrum that addresses aforementioned issues and helps to significantly enhance the utilization of the RF spectrum, offer improved coverage and capacity of networks, enhance network security and reduce energy consumption. With wireless virtualization, wireless networks' physical substrate is shared and reconfigured dynamically between virtual wireless networks through Mobile Virtual Network Operations (MVNOs). Wireless virtualization with dynamic configurable features of Wireless Infrastructure Providers (WIPs), virtualized wireless networks are vulnerable to a multitude of attacks, including jamming attacks and eavesdropping attacks. This paper investigates a means of defense through the employment of coalition game theory when jammers try to degrade the signal quality of legitimate users, and eavesdroppers aim to reduce secrecy rates. Specifically, we consider a virtual wireless network where MVNO users' job is to improve their Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) while the jammers target to collectively enhance their Jammer Received Signal Strength (JRSS), and an eavesdropper's goal is to reduce the overall secrecy rate. Numerical results have demonstrated that the proposed game strategies are effective (in terms of data rate, secrecy rate and latency) against such attackers compared to the traditional approaches.     

移动互联网业务对基站能耗的影响

快速发展的移动互联网业务,为运营商带来了诸多挑战,业务特性与网络能耗之间的映射关系尚属空白。为了准确评估业务对网络资源的影响以及网络设备由此产生的能耗,深入物理层资源粒度,提出一种改进的“二次线性映射”模型及四步建模思路,同时选取了11种典型业务场景,定量评估数据、信令分别消耗的网络资源和能耗大小,便于业务能耗的精细化管理和运营管控,为降低端到端资源开销和业务能耗打下基础。     

A QoS-Aware Joint Power and Subchannel Allocation Algorithm for Mobile Network Virtualization

Mobile network virtualization is a promising technology due to its flexibility and feasibility. Since it enables physical resources abstraction and sharing, the overall resource inefficiency can be reduced dramatically. By means of virtualization, mobile service providers can share their physical resources with multiple virtual network operators. In this paper, a joint power and subchannel allocation algorithm for mobile network virtualization (MNV) with quality of services support is proposed. It presents a resource allocation scheme for orthogonal frequency division multiple access-based MNV with multiple virtual network operators. An optimal solution is provided to maximize the total data rate of both infrastructure providers and virtual network operators. Numerical results have shown that the proposed resource allocation algorithm improves the overall performance.

     

透析中国香港移动虚拟运营商运营状况

移动虚拟运营是当前的热门话题。中国香港已给6家公司发了移动虚拟运营商(MVNO)牌照,这6家公司是：润迅通信(香港)有限公司、通汇电讯有限公司、联通国际通信有限公司、i100无线(香港)有限公司、中港通电讯有限公司和中信电讯1616有限公司。其中。润讯通信主要针对往来于内地与香港之间的用户开展网络通信、分销与连锁销售以及综合信息服务;通汇电讯有限公司瞄准了40万商务旅客．以“流动办公室”概念为主导,推出了综合信息服务;i100公司钟对年轻人推出了一系列新颖的2．5G移动数据业务。     

The economics of integration of DVB‐S with terrestrial technologies and the role of dynamic bandwidth management

This paper presents the technoeconomic aspects of network solutions based on integration of satellite and terrestrial, based on ADSL, WLAN and DVB‐T technologies, architectures. Following a discussion of the general deployment context, the business case framework is described in terms of areas served, services offered, tariffs, demand assumptions, as well as network architecture and dimensioning rules. The key cost items are presented and economic estimations are provided in the case of telecom operators, which integrate satellite bandwidth with terrestrial technologies in different area types. The evaluated business cases have shown that the satellite rental cost (airtime cost) level is one of the most critical parameter for the economic indicator of present value. Therefore, agreements with satellite operators for spectrum usage will give operators space for business opportunities and acceptable profit margins. In addition, dynamic bandwidth allocation schemes can exploit the aggregated traffic within satellite transmission, which can benefit satellite, telecom and cable operators offering entertainment on broadband business as well as new entrants in broadband business, equipment vendors, broadcasters and TV companies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

3G防火墙中GTP策略的设计

随着3G技术和标准的完善,系统和终端的成熟,业务和应用的发展,3G已在日、韩、欧洲等国家和地区进入商用阶段,国内运营商也在加紧对3G网络的部署.为了保证3G系统中核心网(CN)的安全,防止外部网络攻击,保护终端用户安全,必须在核心网络的Gn/Gp,Gi口部署3G防火墙.文中通过对3G网络、GTP协议的分析,给出了3G防火墙中GTP策略的设计.     

Spawning networks

The deployment of new network architectures, services, and protocols is often manual, ad hoc, and time-consuming. We introduce “spawning networks,” a new class of programmable networks that automate the life cycle process for the creation, deployment, and management of network architectures. These networks are capable of spawning distinct “child” virtual networks with their own transport, “parent's” network resources and in isolation from other spawned networks. Spawned child networks represent programmable virtual networks and support the controlled access to communities at users with specific connectivity, security, and quality of service requirements. In this article we present a framework for the realization of spawning networks based on the notion of the Genesis Kernel, a virtual network operating system capable of creating distinct virtual network architectures on the fly. We discuss the motivation and principles that underpin spawning networks and focus on the design of the transport, programming and life cycle environments, which comprise the main architectural components of the Genesis Kernel     

Analyzing the Economic Effects of Past Mobile Network Sharing Deals for Future Network Deployment

The increase in data traffic calls for investment in mobile networks; however, the saturating revenue of mobile broadband and increasing capital expenditure are discouraging mobile operators from investing in next-generation mobile networks. Mobile network sharing is a viable solution for operators and regulators to resolve this dilemma. This research uses a difference-in-differences analysis of 33 operators (including 11 control operators) to empirically evaluate the cost reduction effect of mobile network sharing. The results indicate a reduction in overall operating expenditure and short-term capital expenditure by national roaming. This finding implies that future technology and standards development should focus on flexible network operation and maintenance, energy efficiency, and maximizing economies of scale in radio access networks. Furthermore, mobile network sharing will become more viable and relevant in a 5G network deployment as spectrum bands are likely to increase the total cost of ownership of mobile networks and technical enablers will facilitate network sharing.     

The Genesis Kernel: a programming system for spawning networkarchitectures

Currently, the design, deployment, and refinement of new network architectures is a manual, ad hoc, and time-consuming process. We present the design, implementation, and evaluation of the Genesis Kernel, a programming system that automates the life cycle process for the creation, deployment, management, and architecting of network architectures. We discuss our experiences in building a spawning network that is capable of creating distinct virtual network architectures on-demand. The Genesis Kernel is based on a methodology that allows a child virtual network to operate on top of a subset of its parent's network resources and in isolation from other spawned virtual networks. We show through experimentation how a number of diverse network architectures can be spawned and architecturally refined. These spawned network architectures include a parent network that supports IP forwarding, and interior and exterior routing. We discuss how two child networks based on Cellular IP and Mobiware architectures can be spawned on the parent network to support wireless access to data and continuous media services, respectively     

电信运营商NFV未来网络管理体系演进关键问题

网络功能虚拟化(NFV)是电信级业务云化的核心技术和架构,是未来网络演进的必然趋势.NFV给通信网络带来了新的能力,同时也要求对现有的设备运行、管理、维护和配置模型增加新的管理和编排(MANO)功能.首先对物理网元的网管体系架构及未来演进规划进行总结研究,然后对NFV的引入对现网设备管理方式的变化及新网管架构功能进行总结,深入研究NFV MANO与运营支撑系统(OSS)协同关系、MANO与其他周边网元组网方案等关键问题,最后从电信运营商角度,基于NFV MANO解耦程度,提出MANO部署及演进策略.