DICE · Dynamic Interconnections for the Cellular Ecosystem
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2019-09-01 → 2021-08-31
- EU contribution
- €160,932
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-SE
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Dynamic Interconnections for the Cellular Ecosystem
My main scientific goal within the DICE project was to analyze and innovate the interconnection models between users, operators and third-party infrastructure providers (such as IP Packet Exchange Providers) that enable networks to interconnect and offer cellular services globally. The project results in DICE are among the first to expose how international roaming in the cellular ecosystem supports IoT platforms and the massive number of IoT devices they deploy world-wide. We successfully addressed technical challenges towards supporting a true global service for mobile end-users (e.g., the need for home routed roaming), and demonstrated the need to elevate the roaming function to a first-class citizen status within the cellular ecosystem. Specifically, as part of DICE, I tackled two major objectives, namely: (i) Illuminating the cellular ecosystem; and (ii) Building an intelligent system for dynamic network interconnections. DICE results validated the shift in operating models withing the cellular ecosystem, which emerged as a response to the demand for connecting a massive number of extremely heterogeneous terminals (personal use smartphones and IoT devices), operating globally in different environments around the world, with specific performance requirements. The analysis in DICE shows how the extensive cellular infrastructure that international carriers and cellular providers have been shaping for the past decades is ill-adapted for the global operating model IoT verticals or digital nomads demand. Although permanent roaming is not new to the industry, its implications due to its widespread use have made it a core issue that mobile operators need to seriously address as part of their native architecture. With DICE, I addressed several of the gaps within the current 5G architecture related to the implementation of the roaming function.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Mobile networks are now rising to the status of critical infrastructure: there will be 11.6 billion mobile-connected devices by 2021, exceeding the world’s population. As the market transitions from existing technologies to an all-IP ecosystem, the need to innovate the way services are delivered is critical. This drives us to change our approach to interconnection, leading towards a more global and flexible model. Over the past years we have been witnessing the shift from a unilateral, network-centric communications market to an environment with many market players around the user and its powerful device. Though Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) used to have a monopoly on these services, this is now being challenged. For example, Mobile Network Aggregators (MNAs) such as Google Fi are gaining popularity among end-users. MNAs are able to multiplex clients across multiple MNOs in order to ensure optimal service and sustained quality of experience (QoE). In this context, there is a stringent and immediate need for MNOs to develop sustainable strategies including next-generation interconnections to adapt and remain relevant. Understanding, monitoring and innovating how mobile end-users consume and reach content, especially under dynamic mobility scenarios (e.g., international roaming), is of paramount importance. My scientific goal in this project is to design fluid interconnection models between the end-user, the MNOs and the IP Exchange (IPX) providers. I plan to illuminate the current cellular interconnection ecosystem and design novel solutions to facilitate and enable next-generation IP interconnection models. I propose to explore novel technologies (e.g., distributed ledger technology) that enable MNOs to interact directly and offer their users customized services (e.g., using crypto-currencies). This will increase the number of connected people, while enabling MNOs to extend their coverage and sustain a healthy stream of revenue from market growth.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- TELEFONICA INVESTIGACION Y DESARROLLO SA · MadridCoordinatorSpain
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union