Future Networks and User Requirements – A Techno-Economic Analysis

ICT based networks and especially wireless networks are experiencing an unprecedented development – and not least expected future development. The realization and specific development is, however, determined in a complicated interplay between technology, market/regulation and user requirements. The interplay is complicated also because the trends are of a very different character and they are interrelated. It is the aim of this paper to contribute to the understanding of these driving forces in the development of future networks by presenting a framework for discussing trends in the three areas and their interplay.Part of the article is based on the ideas developed during work on the Infodev toolkits “New technologies and their impacts on regulation” Knud Erik Skouby is professor and founding of the center for Information and Comunication Technologies (CICT) – a center providing a focal point for multi-disciplinary research and training in applications of ICT at the Danish Technical university. His main area of research interest includes the techno-economics and regulation of the telecom sector and of new telecom applications and services. He has participated as a project manager and partner in a number of international, European and Danish research projects. He has served on a number of public committies within the area of telecom, IT and broadcasting; as a member of board of professional socities; as a member of organizing boards, evaluation comities and as invited speaker on international conferences; published a number of Danish and international articles, books and conference proceedings in the areas of telecommunications regulation, technology assessment (information technology and telecommunications), demand forecasting and political economy. Reza Tadayoni is Associate Professor at the center for Information Communications Technologies. Reza Tadayoni's research field is media convergence. He has been involved in a number of research projects and has published a number of Scientific papers in journals and conference proceedings. He has further contributed to a number of consultancy reports and studies for the Danish telecom and broadcast administration, EU and the world bank. He has been actively involved in European COST networks, including COST A20 on `The impact of the Internet on the mass media in Europe' and COST A16 on `ICT and transnational communities'.