Spyros E. Polykalas

Wholesale provision of broadband services: alternative pricing strategies and associated policies

Purpose – The paper aims to explore the “build or lease” dilemma that a new operator faces when it plans to enter a liberalized telecom market. The “build” decision requires the operator to invest in new network infrastructure. The “lease” part involves obtaining access to the subscriber by leasing the access part of the network via local loop unbundling (LLU) and/or by implementing wholesale broadband access (WBA) (also known as bitstream access). Which are the factors that an operator should take into account when it designs a broadband strategy based on LLU and/or WBA? Are there regulatory measures that can affect the outcome of such a strategy? The paper aims to provide specific answers to both questions.Design/methodology/approach – Initially the paper establishes the case that LLU as well as WBA can indeed be considered as a useful instrument during the initial stages of broadband development. Consequently, the paper explores the “build or lease” dilemma by using a cost model created from actual mar...

An algorithm based on Google Trends' data for future prediction. Case study: German elections

The analysis of the high volume of statistics generated by web search engines worldwide on a daily basis, allow researchers to examine the relation between the users search preferences and future facts. This analysis can be applied to various areas of society such as sales, epidemics, unemployment and elections. The paper investigates whether prediction of election results is possible by analyzing the behavior of potential voters before the date of the elections. In particular, the proposed algorithm is applied on the three more recent German elections. The results of this analysis show that a strong correlation exists between the search preferences of potential voters before the date of the election race and the actual elections results. It also demonstrates the fact that search preferences are influenced by various social events that may take place concurrently to the election race. The effect of such events has to be filtered out as noise in order to arrive at a successful estimation of the final results.

Assessing the evolution of the digital divide across European Union

In our days the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for teaching is widely recognized that promotes the innovation and the effectiveness within all academic levels and in all teaching and training sectors. One of the main obstacles for the further penetration of e-learning is the existence of the Digital Divide across nations or / and communities. Digital Divide is defined as the different level of ICTs adoption between nations or / and communities. In this paper the historic evolution of the Digital Divide across the Member States of the European Union is analyzed, in order on one hand to examine the effectiveness of the relevant policies in relation to Digital Divide elimination and on the other hand to examine whether European citizens have the same level of opportunities in relation to e-learning. To do so, indicative quantitative indicators have been selected, related to Information and Communications Technologies penetration and more specifically related to the existence of broadband infrastructure and the penetration of broadband services. The analysis of the selected indicators reveals the progress that has been achieved in relation to the elimination of the Digital Divide across EU countries, during the last few years. The results of analysis show that in some cases, like in the case of the existence of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, a clear improvement has been achieved. On the other hand the analysis of other indicators, like the fixed and mobile broadband penetration, indicates that despite the adopted relevant policies, slight or no improvement in relation to the elimination of the Digital Divide across EU 27 has been made.

Predicting Human Behavior Based on Web Search Activity: Greek Referendum of 2015

The enormous volumes of data generated by web users are the basis of several research activities in a new innovative field of research: online forecasting. Online forecasting is associated with the proper computation of web users’ data with the aim to arrive at accurate predictions of the future in several areas of human socio-economic activity. In this paper an algorithm is applied in order to predict the results of the Greek referendum held in 2015, using as input the data generated by users of the Google search engine. The proposed algorithm allows us to predict the results of the referendum with great accuracy. We strongly believe that due to the high internet penetration, as well as, the high usage of web search engines, the proper analysis of data generated by web search users reveals useful information about people preferences and/or future actions in several areas of human activity.

Evaluation of Spectrum Rights for Radio Broadcasting Operators

The paper explores the valuation of radio spectrum granted by the State to radio operators for radio program broadcasting. Radio spectrum may be one of the most tightly regulated resources of all time, since every wireless device, from mobile phones to traditional radio devices, depends on access to the radio frequency wireless spectrum. Due to the scarcity of radio spectrum, the available number of radio broadcasting licenses is limited, therefore the State usually offers the licenses through open tender procedures following several tendering options such as auctions and beauty contests. One of the most crucial factor in the licensing procedures, is the valuation of the offered spectrum. The valuation of the spectrum determines the amount of money that radio operators should pay to the State, in order to hold the spectrum license for a fixed period of time. In this paper a cost model for radio spectrum evaluation is applied in order to identify the most crucial parameters that affect the determination of the spectrum price. The dynamic structure of the model allows a sensitivity analysis study in relation to the assessment of the variation effect of several parameters to the determined spectrum price. The appropriate determination of the examined parameters allow the State to maximize the government revenues but most important to grant the spectrum with the most efficient way.