Jonathan Spruytte

Introduction of BEMES, a Webtool to Simplify Business Process and Equipment Cost Modelling

Modelling both business processes and equipment costs is an elementary step in the techno-economic evaluation of a business case (infrastructure project, network deployment, etc.). Most of a upfront business case evaluation, on which strategic decisions are based, relies on inflexible and error-prone spreadsheet models. In order to provide a stable and reliable alternative, this paper presents the equipment coupling modelling notation (ECMN). ECMN allows calculating the costs for equipment installation using dynamic, easy-to-understand, graphical equipment trees. For business processes, we developed an adapted version of the business process modelling notation (BPMN). In order to simplify the usage of both ECMN and BPMN, we also present the BEMES-tool (Business Modelling and Simulation). BEMES is a graphical web-based tool that can be used to draw both models using drag-and-drop and calculate the models resulting in visual output. The BEMES-tool consists of a set of interlinked modules; we describe the functionality of each of these modules and discuss the benefits this strong modularized approach yields for both the current and future

Internet on trains: A multi-criteria analysis of on-board deployment options for on-train cellular connectivity

A train journey could be an ideal moment to answer a phone call, read an e-mail or browse the Internet on a personal device such as a smartphone, tablet or laptop. Unfortunately, a train is a very challenging environment to provide a mobile network service to due to attenuation and bad coverage leading to dropped phone calls and unreachable Internet services. Improving mobile network service on-board trains, however, is costly and should be planned carefully. A multi-criteria comparison of different deployment options is therefore essential toward an optimal investment decision. But, the impact of the choice of on-board distribution system is often overlooked. This article compares three types of on-board signal repeaters side-by-side: IP-based data access points, wideband repeaters and small cells. The differences in terms of network coverage, human exposure, deployment cost, revenue model and telecommunications policy are analyzed for each of them.

Planning omni-present networks of the future

On one hand, customers expect mobile broadband at any time and place at increasing bandwidth while on the other hand there is an evolution towards smart cities which include video monitoring and large amount of extra sensors putting additional strain on the existing network. Because of this, optimal long term network planning is of crucial importance. This planning has to take into account the ever increasing bandwidth demand and user adoption. In this publication, a genetic algorithm is proposed to find the optimal location of base stations to achieve a full coverage. Using this algorithm, a clear comparison has been made between a short-term (incremental) and a long-term (anticipated) planning.

Theoretical approach for a multi-operator synergistic utility planning and its real-life implications

More often than not, maintaining a utility network requires opening up streets which results in traffic diversions and traffic jams in turn leading to additional nuisance for urban citizens. By aligning the planning of different utility providers, additional synergies can be achieved, which will not only result in fewer nuisances for the city in general, but may also lead to clear cost savings for the involved parties. Additionally, utility operators teaming up will also lead to safer work conditions, and less service interruptions due to unintentional damages. In this publication we present a multi-objective multi-actor approach to optimally reschedule the planning of a set of utility providers resulting in up to 32% more works executed in synergy and up to 46% more weeks of cooperation. Additionally, by verifying our approach with people with hands-on experience in utility network planning, we have managed to pinpoint a number of real-life implications; each of these issues have been discussed and when possible, approaches to tackle these issues have been proposed.

International Roaming in the EU: Historic Overview, Challenges, Opportunities and Solutions

As technology evolves and globalization continues, the need for reasonably priced roaming services has never been higher. In 2007, the European Commission (EC) introduced a first set of regulatory decisions to cap the maximal additional roaming fee end users have to pay for calling. In the years after, additional price caps have been introduced for SMS and data, initially only for end users, in a later stage also for the inter-operator tariff. The final step, named Roaming Like at Home (RLAH), will start to take effect in June 2017, from then end users will pay the same price (for voice, SMS and data) when roaming like in their domestic country. The effect of RLAH on the business case of each mobile operator is hard to predict, as the different national markets are extremely heterogeneous and operators face large discrepancies in terms of roaming usage due to different traveling patterns and various other reasons that cannot be harmonized (geography, economics, working force, usage history, etc.). Furthermore, competition in the telecom market will no longer be a purely national matter, as the decision to abolish roaming tariffs will expose operators to other players within Europe. This paper aims at providing insights in the effect of RLAH for both the end user as well as the mobile operators. Following a literature survey approach, including a detailed overview of the roaming regulation process from 2007 up to now, the paper discusses possible effects the RLAH initiative might trigger, going from lower wholesale prices for mobile operators to higher retail prices for end users. Additionally, as the European Commission strives for a single European market, this paper presents a number of technical solutions (carrier portability, software-based SIMs, cross-border IMSI) that pose an alternative for roaming and explains how these may impact cross-border competition both positively and negatively. The solutions are assessed against two axes: (1) generating the best possible outcome for the end customers (in all countries), and (2) ensuring the best level playing field for (virtual) mobile operators in Europe, which will of course involve tradeoffs on different levels.