Power-Aware Planning and Design for Next Generation Wireless Networks

Mobile network operators have witnessed a transition from being voice dominated to video/data domination, which leads to a dramatic traffic growth over the past decade. With the 4G wireless communication systems being deployed in the world most recently, the fifth generation (5G) mobile and wireless communica- tion technologies are emerging into research fields. The fast growing data traffic volume and dramatic expansion of network infrastructures will inevitably trigger tremendous escalation of energy consumption in wireless networks, which will re- sult in the increase of greenhouse gas emission and pose ever increasing urgency on the environmental protection and sustainable network development. Thus, energy-efficiency is one of the most important rules that 5G network planning and design should follow. This dissertation presents power-aware planning and design for next generation wireless networks. We study network planning and design problems in both offline planning and online resource allocation. We propose approximation algo- rithms and effective heuristics for various network design scenarios, with different wireless network setups and different power saving optimization objectives. We aim to save power consumption on both base stations (BSs) and user equipments (UEs) by leveraging wireless relay placement, small cell deployment, device-to- device communications and base station consolidation. We first study a joint signal-aware relay station placement and power alloca- tion problem with consideration for multiple related physical constraints such as channel capacity, signal to noise ratio requirement of subscribers, relay power and network topology in multihop wireless relay networks. We present approximation schemes which first find a minimum number of relay stations, using maximum transmit power, to cover all the subscribers meeting each SNR requirement, and then ensure communications between any subscriber and a base station by ad- justing the transmit power of each relay station. In order to save power on BS, we propose a practical solution and offer a new perspective on implementing green wireless networks by embracing small cell networks. Many existing works have proposed to schedule base station into sleep to save energy. However, in reality, it is very difficult to shut down and reboot BSs frequently due to nu- merous technical issues and performance requirements. Instead of putting BSs into sleep, we tactically reduce the coverage of each base station, and strategi- cally place microcells to offload the traffic transmitted to/from BSs to save total power consumption. In online resource allocation, we aim to save tranmit power of UEs by en- abling device-to-device (D2D) communications in OFDMA-based wireless net- works. Most existing works on D2D communications either targeted CDMA- based single-channel networks or aimed at maximizing network throughput. We formally define an optimization problem based on a practical link data rate model, whose objective is to minimize total power consumption while meeting user data rate requirements. We propose to solve it using a joint optimization approach by presenting two effective and efficient algorithms, which both jointly determine mode selection, channel allocation and power assignment. In the last part of this dissertation, we propose to leverage load migration and base station consolidation for green communications and consider a power- efficient network planning problem in virtualized cognitive radio networks with the objective of minimizing total power consumption while meeting traffic load demand of each Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). First we present a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) to provide optimal solutions. Then we present a general optimization framework to guide algorithm design, which solves two subproblems, channel assignment and load allocation, in sequence. In addition, we present an effective heuristic algorithm that jointly solves the two subproblems. Numerical results are presented to confirm the theoretical analysis of our schemes, and to show strong performances of our solutions, compared to several baseline methods

Economic policies and methods of determining the costs of services related to national telecommunication/ICT networks: Output Report on ITU-D Question 4/1 for the study period 2018-2021

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Avoiding the Pitfalls of Net Uniformity: Zero Rating and Nondiscrimination

The current debate over network neutrality has not fully appreciated how service differentiation can benefit consumers and promote Internet adoption. On the demand-side, service differentiation addresses the primary obstacle to adoption, which is the lack of perceived need for Internet service, and reflects the growing heterogeneity of consumer demand. On the supply-side, monopolistic competition has long underscored how product differentiation can create stable equilibria with multiple providers – notwithstanding the presence of unexhausted economies of scale – by allowing competitors to target subsegments of the overall market that place a higher value on particular services. Conversely, prohibiting service differentiation would restrict competition to price and network size, which are factors that favor the largest players. These dynamics are well illustrated by global enforcement patterns with respect to a practice known as “zero rating,” which permits subscribers to access certain content without having that traffic count against their data caps. Of the six countries that have brought enforcement actions against zero rating, only India has categorically banned the practice. The other five countries (the United States, Chile, Canada, Slovenia, and the Netherlands) have adopted a more nuanced approach. A case-by-case approach is consistent with the empirical literature on vertical integration and restraints and the well-established principles for determining when to impose per se illegality and when to apply the “rule of reason.” The U.S. Supreme Court’s antitrust jurisprudence also helps identify factors that militate against liability, such as the lack of market power, nonexclusivity, and nonproprietary services

Mergers and acquisitions : a case study on Liberty Global Inc. and Virgin Media Inc.

M&A deals have increased with time as a result of ease of access to information, market liberalization and globalization as a whole. On a broader note, Cross-border M&A may also be seen as a current trend, one which is still to expand in the next few years. The benefits of Cross-border M&A extend to the economy in which the acquiring firm expands to and this can therefore be seen as a form of Foreign Direct Investment. The liberalization of markets overall makes them integrated to some extent therefore imposing more pressure on the competitiveness of each firm. The Technology, Media & Telecommunications industry is one of the most competitive industries with rapid changes in technology which if not quickly adopted may cost firms in the industry their value and existence on the market. This work studies a real-life deal that occurred this year, 2013 between Liberty Global Inc. and Virgin Media Inc. The acquirer Liberty Global Inc. like many firms, had the motive of expansion to its existing empire which is mainly across Europe. This work assesses the worthiness of implementing the deal and prospects after the deal is made. After thorough assessment, it is then discovered that the deal and 24% premium paid are worthy as the target firm proves to be currently undervalued with great potential in the next five years. Cost synergies given the efficiency of operations mainly by the target firm are also a possibility. However, it is worth noting that all the discovered benefits are only to be realized provided that the merged firm is managed efficiently with great caution of the risks at hand

Dynamic Approach to Competitive Intelligence: Case Studies of Large-Scale Swiss Telecom Firms

The research aim is to understand how the competitive intelligence (CI) process in large-scale Swiss telecom companies contributes to management decision-making. Studying CI activities of the Swiss large-scale telecom firms (Swisscom, Sunrise, Orange/Salt, Cablecom) in a dynamic European context offers useful insight into the critical challenges that service firms now face when developing intelligence in disruptive market contexts where aggressive competitive behaviour is evident. In considering CI theory, this study has reviewed perspectives drawn from research on the CI process, studies on knowledge management and work on systems thinking. In extending the predominant modular view of CI to include elements of systems thinking, this study has added to our academic understanding of CI at firm level. An Integrative CI Activities framework was developed that enables a more holistic perspective of CI to be adopted, taking account of operational, organisational and strategic perspectives. A diagram representing the range of CI analysis methodologies has also been generated, that differentiates between internal/external orientation and static/dynamic forms of CI analysis. Such frameworks can be used by CI researchers in other market contexts. The methodology for this study drew on a pragmatist philosophy, using a case study strategy that adopted mixed methods in data collection, including semi-structured depth interviews with top CI Analysts in each firm. Findings have shown differences in the scope of CI Activities that link to stages of CI development (developing, developed) and variation between headquarters-centred and firm-centred approaches to CI planning and implementation. The adoption of query based, flexible analysis approaches in firm-centred settings differ from more structured CI analysis techniques in headquarters-based firms. Evidence from this study suggests that networked communication, strong feedback mechanisms and the adoption of more flexible CI analyst roles link to more effective CI processes and to greater potential for direct CI contribution to decision-making. Key contributions emerge through the three lenses of analysis adopted (operational, organisational and strategic); in terms of operational CI processes, the study identifies a complex integrated system at work in firms that implement CI effectively. In studying the link between organisational structure and CI analysis, the study has mapped organisational support patterns and how they shape the CI process at firm level. With respect to the strategic lens, following a detailed worked study of predictive analysis in one case firm, findings have identified adaptiveness in CI design as essential to address disruptive market change. Managerial consideration include a need for a) greater flexibility in CI implementation at firm level to adapt to turbulent markets, b) acknowledgement of the importance of the CI analyst role further and c) more dynamic CI content to be generated by CI analysts

Building a National IoT Plan: Policy Recommendations and the Case of Brazil

The Internet of Things (“IoT”) is an expression that refers to a whole set of new services and devices that includes at least three fundamental aspects: connectivity, use of sensors or actuators, and computational capacity for data processing and storage. The Internet of Things goes beyond connecting objects to each other; it also gives them the power to process data (thereby making them "smart"). For developing countries such as Brazil, the opportunities offered by the Internet of Things can compensate for shortcomings in infrastructure and services, and can improve innovation, quality of life, productivity, and even the economic complexity of our basket of export products. However, the way in which each country will seize this opportunity will depend on its specific aspirations and strategies. The broader economic, social, political, and legal context of the country should be considered, as well as the local development of information and communication technologies. For this reason, the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC), has commissioned this study, "Internet of Things: An Action Plan for Brazil." This study, mapped by a consortium comprised by McKinsey & Company, the CPqD Foundation, and Pereira Neto | Macedo Law Firm, outlines the local technological and economic challenges related to the topic, as well as well as how to address legal issues inherent to the development of IoT in Brazil