Multi-Operator Connectivity Sharing for Reliable Networks: A Data-Driven Risk Analysis

Abstract

A key distinction between today's and future networks is the appetite for reliable communication to support emerging critical-communication services. In this paper, we study multi-operator connectivity as a form of redundancy to support the design of reliable networks and investigate its trade-offs. This approach is motivated by 3GPP standardisation initiatives of dual-connectivity and similar techniques in industrial wired networks. We deploy a risk awareness performance metric to assess reliability: this superquantile metric accounts for periods of connectivity shortfalls. Our analysis shows that multi-operator connectivity brings significant reliability gains, in particular when network deployments by different operators exhibit high complementarity in coverage. We also explore the effects of multi-connectivity on spectral efficiency in times of high demand for bandwidth. Our study is based on a real-world dataset comprising signal strength indicators of three mobile operators in Dublin, Ireland.

Techno-Economic Assessment of 5G Infrastructure Sharing Business Models in Rural Areas

“…It involves the sharing of spectrum, core networks, radios, base stations, backhaul, telecommunication sites, ducts, masts, towers, equipment rooms, power supplies, air conditioning, and security systems. This method involves end-to-end network sharing (at all passive and active lev-els, including spectrum) among the slice tenants [8], [14], [56]. Unlike the previously articulated sharing strategies, the potential operators would have a network agreement only with the 5G NHN infrastructure operator.…”

“…Unlike the previously articulated sharing strategies, the potential operators would have a network agreement only with the 5G NHN infrastructure operator. This strategy also allows other potential slice tenants along with the operators to use the network [14], [59]. The key challenges of this strategy are similar pricing plans, a shift in competition, pricing strategies, resource allocation, and security of data on their slice [60]- [62].…”

“…The key challenges of this strategy are similar pricing plans, a shift in competition, pricing strategies, resource allocation, and security of data on their slice [60]- [62]. The key to the successful upgrade of the 5G network using "5G NHN" is cooperation among the slice tenants and their corresponding resource allocation schemes [14], [53], [63]. The widespread usage of this technology lies in the usage of slicing capabilities offered by the network, and its security aspects [64], [65].…”

Techno-Economic Assessment of 5G Infrastructure Sharing Business Models in Rural Areas

“…Figure 1d shows the network architecture for a NHN strategy which involves the sharing of spectrum, core networks, radios, base stations, backhaul, telecommunication sites, ducts, masts, towers, equipment rooms, power supplies, air conditioning, and security systems. This method involves end-to-end network sharing (at all passive and active levels, including spectrum) among the slice tenants [6], [12], [71]. Unlike the previously articulated sharing strategies, the potential operators would have a network agreement only with the 5G NHN infrastructure operator.…”

Guest Editors’ Introduction: Special Section on Design and Management of Reliable Communication Networks

“…A new cross-layer resilience scheme is proposed to address the shadowing effect. Network sharing through multi-operator connectivity is explored as a means to enhance network reliability in [25]. Using a real-world dataset, the result analysis showed that allowing mobiles with weak signalto-noise (SNR) ratio to multi-connect leads to a reliability increase for mobile operators.…”