Nan Zhang, Timo Smura, Björn Grönvall and Heikki Hämmäinen
The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the key uncertainties and to construct alternative future scenarios for Internet content delivery. The relative positions and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyze the key uncertainties and to construct alternative future scenarios for Internet content delivery. The relative positions and roles of different actors and content delivery technologies in each scenario are then discussed. As traffic volume rapidly grows, the current Internet architecture faces scalability issues. To meet the demand, technical solutions utilizing caching and name-based routing are developed.
Design/methodology/approach
This work followed a scenario planning process, and two workshops were organized for identifying the key trends and uncertainties. Industry architecture notation was used to systematically illustrate and compare the constructed scenarios.
Findings
Of the 94 forces identified, the revenue model and Internet service provider's (ISP’s) role in content provision were singled out as the two most important uncertainties, upon which four scenarios were constructed. In-network caching technologies are strong candidates in ISP-dominated scenarios. Content delivery networks are more likely outcomes in scenarios, where content providers’ role is significant.
Research limitations/implications
The paper focuses on qualitative analysis of scenarios. Utilizing, for instance, system dynamics to model interdependencies between the trends and uncertainties could provide a path toward quantitative analysis.
Originality/value
The paper increases understanding of relative positions and roles of different actors and technologies in possible future scenarios. The findings are important, especially for ISPs, content providers and technology vendors. The scenarios can be used to identify desirable futures and strategies to achieve them and to make informed choices in technology design to meet the demands of key actors.
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Michail Katsigiannis and Timo Smura
The purpose of this paper is to use basic economic theory to examine the relation between the demanded data traffic and the network costs for several network deployment scenarios…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use basic economic theory to examine the relation between the demanded data traffic and the network costs for several network deployment scenarios and find the most preferable deployment strategy subject to specific constraints in near future (2015-2020).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper identifies the cost structure of radio access networks and explicitly models the network costs as a function of data traffic, both in the short-run (current network) and in the long-run (future capacity expansion scenarios). In the short-run model, the operating cost of the current network is calculated, highlighting the energy cost and its dynamics. In the long-run model, assuming unchanged site infrastructure, the cost analysis provides information for decision-making on network evolution.
Findings
The results show that the operating cost does not differ significantly from short- to long-run, and the energy cost constitutes a small but remarkable share (around 7 per cent) of total network operating cost. In addition, the paper concludes that the best strategy is not the most cost-efficient strategy but the one which meet the coverage requirements imposed by the regulator when the spectrum is allocated to operators. Finally, the speed of investments in urban regions is driven by the traffic growth, whereas in suburban and rural regions, it is driven by the regulator’s intervention.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to the improvement of cost modeling for techno-economics by using economic theory and analyzing the energy consumption. In addition, the paper investigates real cases for mobile operators, and provides useful information for decision-making in network evolution.
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Timo Smura, Antero Kivi and Juuso Töyli
Collecting and analysing data on mobile service usage is increasingly complex as usage diverges between different types of devices and networks. The purpose of this paper is to…
Abstract
Purpose
Collecting and analysing data on mobile service usage is increasingly complex as usage diverges between different types of devices and networks. The purpose of this paper is to suggest and apply a holistic framework that helps in designing mobile service usage research as well as in communicating, positioning, and comparing research results.
Design/methodology/approach
The framework was constructed based on longitudinal and cross‐sectional mobile service usage measurements carried out in Finland annually in 2005‐2008, covering 80‐90 percent of all mobile users and service usage. Broad use of multiple data collection methods and measurement points enabled data and method triangulation, as well as analysis and comparison of their scopes and limitations.
Findings
The paper suggests a holistic framework for analysing mobile services, relying on service science approach. For measurements and analysis, mobile services are decomposed into four technical components: devices, applications, networks, and content. The paper further presents classifications for each component and discusses their relationships with possible measurement points. The framework is applied to mobile browsing usage studies.
Research limitations/implications
Future work includes adding an actors dimension to the framework in order to analyse their roles in the value networks providing mobile services. Extending the framework to Internet services more generally is also possible.
Originality/value
The paper presents an original, broadly applicable framework for designing mobile service usage research, and communicating, positioning, and comparing research results. The framework helps academics and practitioners to design and to recognise the limitations of mobile service usage studies, and to avoid misinterpretations based on insufficient data.
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Theodoros Rokkas, Dimitris Varoutas, Dimitris Katsianis, Timo Smura, Kumar Renjish, Mikko Heikkinen, Jarmo Harno, Mario Kind, Dirk Von Hugo and Thomas Monath
The purpose of this paper is to show that fixed‐mobile convergence (FMC) has gathered much interest in the telecommunications industry lately. Integrated operators (who own both…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to show that fixed‐mobile convergence (FMC) has gathered much interest in the telecommunications industry lately. Integrated operators (who own both fixed and mobile networks), are keen to exploit FMC benefits in order to save costs and generate new revenues. This paper aims to analyze the effects of converged network and service environment on the business of existing telecommunication operators.
Design/methodology/approach
After an introduction to the regulatory, market, and technology related issues of convergence, the authors focus on analyzing the role of FMC technologies and services in their businesses of an integrated operator with existing fixed and mobile operations in a large Western European country.
Findings
Results reveal that an integrated operator can benefit from cost savings, customer retention and prevent revenue erosion by migrating to FMC.
Originality/value
This paper examines the effects of fixed‐mobile convergence to an integrated operator.