Petri Ahokangas

Software defined mobile networks: concept, survey, and research directions

This article provides a brief overview on the current development of software-defined mobile networks (SDMNs). Software defined networking is seen as a promising technology to manage the complexity in communication networks. The need for SDMN comes from the complexity of network management in 5G mobile networks and beyond, driven by increasing mobile traffic demand, heterogeneous wireless environments, and diverse service requirements. The need is strong to introduce new radio network architecture by taking advantage of software oriented design, the separation of the data and control planes, and network virtualization to manage complexity and offer flexibility in 5G networks. Clearly, software oriented design in mobile networks will be fundamentally different from SDN for the Internet, because mobile networks deal with the wireless access problem in complex radio environments, while the Internet mainly addresses the packet forwarding problem. Specific requirements in mobile networks shape the development of SDMN. In this article we present the needs and requirements of SDMN, with particular focus on the software-defined design for radio access networks. We analyze the fundamental problems in radio access networks that call for SDN design and present an SDMN concept. We give a brief overview on current solutions for SDMN and standardization activities. We argue that although SDN design is currently focusing on mobile core networks, extending SDN to radio access networks would naturally be the next step. We identify several research directions on SDN for radio access networks and expect more fundamental studies to release the full potential of software-defined 5G networks.

Spectrum sharing using licensed shared access: the concept and its workflow for LTE-advanced networks

Spectrum sharing between an existing incumbent spectrum user and an LTE/LTEAdvanced network with conditions that resemble exclusive licensing have become an appealing solution for mobile network operators to respond to the growing traffic and spectrum demand in a timely manner. While traditional exclusive licensing continues to be the preferred option for MNOs, the new sharing- based licensed shared access (LSA) concept is receiving growing interest in research, regulation and standardization. When applied to mobile communications, the LSA concept would allow an MNO to share spectrum from another type of incumbent spectrum user under a regulator¿s supervision with predetermined rules and conditions that guarantee operational certainty for both MNO and incumbent. This article reviews different types of spectrum bands for LTE/LTE-Advanced and beyond networks, and focuses on the LSA concept as a spectrally efficient solution for spectrum access in the future. The article identifies the key stakeholders, including the incumbent spectrum user, the MNO, and the regulator, and their roles in the LSA concept. The key elements in the LSA concept are reviewed, and a work flow for the life cycle of the LSA concept is proposed, consisting of LSA preparation, licensing, deployment, and release phases. The tasks of the key stakeholders in the different phases of the LSA work flow are discussed. The LSA concept can offer a complementary approach to traditional exclusive licensing and license-exempt operations with features that benefit all involved stakeholders. It can be realized with reasonable modifications to the existing network infrastructure and regulatory framework with two new elements for managing the varying spectrum availability: the LSA Repository and LSA Controller.

Simple rules for mobile network operators' strategic choices in future cognitive spectrum sharing networks

Spectrum sharing is becoming a necessity in future cellular networks due to the increasing traffic demand and challenges of getting exclusive spectrum. This article reviews the spectrum sharing framework that consists of regulatory, technology, and business domains. For future mobile network operators, sharing of spectrum with other operators or with other radiocommunication services - especially when using cognitive radio system technologies - is a disruptive change. Building on alternative spectrum sharing scenarios, this article discusses a set of Simple Rules for mobile network operators, both dominators and challengers, regarding spectrum sharing in future cognitive cellular networks. The Simple Rules provide a dynamic framework for both dominating and challenger mobile network operators for developing their sharing-based business models.

Business models for mobile network operators in Licensed Shared Access (LSA)

This paper presents business models for mobile network operators (MNOs) in the new Licensed Shared Access (LSA) concept. The LSA concept allows spectrum sharing between an incumbent spectrum user and an LSA licensee under the supervision of the regulator with rules and conditions that guarantee predictable quality of service (QoS) levels to all involved spectrum users. This paper summarizes the LSA concept and its application to the mobile broadband where an MNO shares spectrum from another type of incumbent spectrum user such as military or programme making and special events (PMSE) services which corresponds to the industry driven Authorised Shared Access (ASA) concept. The paper highlights the importance of developing viable business models for the new spectrum sharing concepts as they need to provide clear benefits to the key stakeholders to be adopted in real life. The paper depicts the evolution path of business model theories and focuses on a recent action-oriented business modeling approach. This approach is applied to the mobile broadband using the LSA concept to derive business models for MNOs for accessing new LSA bands. Separate business models are derived for dominating and challenger MNOs whose market shares and amounts of exclusive spectrum license differ significantly and will face different business opportunities arising from LSA. To assess the transformation coming with the LSA concept, business models are first developed for the current situation with exclusively licensed spectrum bands. New business models are then developed for the introduction of the new shared LSA bands. The developed business models indicate that the dominating MNOs could benefit significantly from the new LSA bands which would enable dynamic traffic management to offer different service levels to different customer segments. For challenger MNOs, the LSA concept could offer the opportunity to challenge the dominating MNOs and win their customers by offering tailored services to a wider customer base using the new LSA spectrum resources. Moreover, it could significantly re-shape the business ecosystem around the mobile broadband by opening the door to non-MNO entrants.

Cloud Computing and Transformation of International E-Business Models

Abstract Purpose This paper explores the transformation of international business models in the context of international ICT businesses where cloud computing has triggered a major paradigm change in the way software and hardware related services are offered to international customers. Methodology/approach Through comparative analysis of two cases, this paper examines the business model transformation processes in the cloud computing context. Findings The key challenges of the case companies were related to business model transformation as cloud computing was triggering a change in most of the business model elements. Research implications There is a need to define the concept of business model in a way that suits the cloud and internationalization.

Wearable and mobile sensors connected to social media in human well-being applications

This paper introduces a concept based on monitoring human behavior using sensors with social media connectivity to distribute data and provide help to people in challenging situations. Together with its sub-concepts, it defines a framework for and specific aspects of communication in several application areas, in which sensors are used to track human behavior and measure the human physiological status. The thus gathered information is then shared via social media.Conventional information flow between a sensor and the social web is a one-way street, based on extraction of information or placement. Sensor data is shared on the social web on the users initiative. One-way flow is useful in many situations. More advanced functionality can be realized with bidirectional flow. Here, a sensor automatically invokes the social web to obtain relevant information that can influence the user. The social web can also take the initiator role and provide useful information for the sensor to act on.SEWEB concept was developed to provide help in challenging situations. Testing and evaluation of the concept was conducted using a schoolchildrens safety service application, and a related business model was created to discuss aspects linked to the concepts commercialization prospects. Safety of children and marginalization of youth are increasing problems in our modern society. Developing technologies, however, offer more possibilities for building safety solutions for children and teenagers. This paper describes a new concept of using sensors to monitor human behavior in combination with data processing and information transfer via different communication channels as well as different types of support the concept makes available. The concept utilizes the web and social media to create services and new business centered around different applications designed to support child safety in challenging situations and to prevent the marginalization of young people. This conceptual work involves different sub-concepts in the areas of information flow and connections, potential services and business potential. Some application areas will be introduced and discussed as specific cases demonstrating the features of the developed concept.

Micro Operators to Boost Local Service Delivery in 5G

Future digital society depends heavily on timely availability of high quality wireless connectivity the offering of which today is dominated by mobile network operators (MNOs). Future 5G systems aim at connecting billions of devices to serve versatile location and case specific needs of vertical sectors in parallel with the provisioning of traditional mobile broadband services. As the majority of mobile traffic originates from indoors, cost-efficient and fast deployment of new indoor small cell networks is fundamental, which calls for new developments in regulation and technology to enable new business. This paper proposes the concept of micro operators (uO) for local service delivery in 5G to build indoor small cell communication infrastructure and offer context related services and content. Key elements of the new micro operator concept are introduced including regulation-related factors of local spectrum access rights, and technology-related factors of flexible network implementation. Several business opportunities are identified for the uO concept including the provisioning of hosted local connectivity to all MNOs in specific locations, operation of secure networks for vertical sector specific use, and offering of locally tailored content and services.

The role of intermediaries in food export: case evidence from Finland

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of export intermediaries in the internationalization of small and medium-sized companies in Finland. The empirical study focusses on small Finnish food companies that export to German and Chinese markets. Design/methodology/approach – The research method of this study is qualitative. Data are collected through semi-structured interviews with six respondents presenting exporting companies and export consultants. Findings – The paper provides an empirical contribution to the food internationalization debate. First, the paper discusses the definitions of export intermediaries and their role in export based on the literature. Second, by examining how Finnish food companies experience the role of export intermediaries, the paper contributes to the current discussion on internationalization modes. The empirical results highlight that export companies need transaction-creating services from intermediaries especially when entering physically and culturall...

Urban development practices as anticipatory action learning: case Arctic smart city living laboratory

Abstract An operational model for Arctic smart city living laboratory is presented and discussed. The model is a change-promoting process meant for the public city organization, operating in the context of smart cities, open innovation ecosystem and spatial planning. The entire city functions as a living laboratory scene with the principles of anticipatory action learning. The four urban development practices pace the exploration and exploitation of the opportunities and advantages for the city. As the public landowner, the city builds capacity for enhancing and applying innovations.

Toward the theory of temporary competitive advantage in internationalization

Building on the dynamic resource-based view, this paper suggests that increasing market dynamism and continued resource evolution contribute to the development of temporary competitive advantages utilized in the internationalization of high-technology firms. All competitive advantages needed for internationalization can first be seen as temporary by nature, and it is the outcome of managerial selection and competition, conditioned by the determinants of market dynamism and resource evolution that some resources and advantages may become sustainable. Using a case study approach, this paper suggests that sustainable competitive advantages for internationalization emerge from the temporary advantages through a life cycle as the effects of market dynamism and resource evolution decrease, or their determinants lose relevance in the international markets. The paper aims to contribute to the theoretical discussion concerning the nature and consequences of managing temporary competitive advantages and the internationalization processes.