Topics in emerging technologies:Cost optimization methods in the design of next generation networks

A key development of telecommunication systems during the past two decades has been the evolution from the circuit-switched network toward the packet-switched network paradigm. Many operators are now migrating their PSTNs from circuit switched into multipurpose packet switched networks. This new approach is often called the next-generation network (NGN). NGN enables network operators to run all services (i.e., voice, data and video) on one network. In this article the migration of Iceland Telecom's circuit-switched PSTN toward NGN will be described. A cost model of the telecommunications system has been developed to enable cost and benefits analysis of transforming the network to NGN. Methods of optimization and their application to determine the optimal number and position of nodes in the future network will be described. The optimization produces a network structure with the lowest possible total cost of ownership, and the model can also indicate how deviations from the optimum affect cost. The feasibility of NGN can be assessed by comparing the cost of NGN migration to that of maintaining the current circuitswitched network

Potentials and Challenges of Peer-to-Peer Based Content Distribution

Abstract—Multimedia content currently accounts for over three quarters of all Internet traffic. This increase in traffic volume and content availability derives from a paradigm shift from the traditional text and picture based Web, to more resource demanding audio and video content. A controversial driver for this development is content distribution systems based on peer-to-peer overlay networks. Flooding the Internet with often illegal content, these networks now pose challenges to all actors in the value chain. However, if viewed as surmountable challenges in an evolutionary path, peer-to-peer technology has the potential of increasing efficiency in content distribution and unleashing resources to form scalable and resilient overlay networks of unprecedented dimensions. In this paper we apply economic analysis to examine the challenges and potentials of peer-topeer technology in content distribution, and how, and in which circumstances, peer-to-peer technology can be used to increase the efficiency of multimedia services. The paper provides an up-todate overview of the development of peer-to-peer overlay networks as well as describing the economics laws governing their use. To conclude the study, the paper analysis Skype, a well known telecommunications service utilizing the peer-topeer technology, as well as demonstrating a novel content distribution service using empirical data from the Danish Broadcasting Corporation. Keywords-component; Content Distribution, Peer-to-Peer

Potentials and challenges of peer-to-peer based content distribution

Abstract Multimedia content currently accounts for over three quarters of all Internet traffic. This increase in traffic volume and content availability derives from a paradigm shift from the traditional text and picture based Web, to more resource demanding audio and video content. A controversial driver for this development is content distribution systems based on peer-to-peer overlay networks. Flooding the Internet with often illegal content, these networks now pose challenges to all actors in the value chain. However, if viewed as surmountable challenges in an evolutionary path, peer-to-peer technology has the potential of increasing efficiency in content distribution and unleashing resources to form scalable and resilient overlay networks of unprecedented dimensions. In this paper we examine the potentials and challenges of peer-to-peer technology in content distribution, and analyse how, and under which circumstances, peer-to-peer technology can be used to increase the efficiency of multimedia services. The paper provides an up-to-date overview of the development of peer-to-peer networks as well as describing the economics laws governing their use. To conclude the study, the paper analyses Skype, a well known telecommunications service utilising the peer-to-peer technology, as well as demonstrating the benefits of peer-to-peer based content distribution using empirical data from the Danish Broadcasting Corporation