Mobile Cloud Networking: future communication architecture for mobile cloud

The virtualisation of Radio Access Networks (RANs) is one of the goals in designing 5G mobile networks. This paper aims at presenting a proof of concept for the virtualisation of radio resources using Open Air Interface (OAI), a software-based Long-Term Evolution (LTE) eNodeB physical emulator. OAI was extended to support multi-tenancy, representing diverse Virtual mobile Network Operators (VNOs) with different Service Level Agreements (SLAs). A comprehensive analytical model for managing the virtual radio resources has been proposed, with two key parts: estimation of available radio resources and their allocation to different VNOs. The estimation is performed by the model, and the allocation is managed by OAI scheduling. Various scenarios and use cases are studied in this virtual RAN environment, network performance being evaluated for different situations, by varying guaranteed levels, serving weights, and used services. Results show that the proposed approach offers almost the same capacity to guaranteed VNOs regardless of other existing VNOs, experiencing at worst a degradation of 32% of its initial allocated data rate, without violation of the guaranteed data rate. The data rate allocated to best effort VNOs may decrease up to 7% of its initial value, which is acceptable, to guarantee other more demanding SLAs.

Wireless virtualization is regarded as an emerging paradigm for enhancing radio frequency (RF) spectrum utilization through slicing of primary wireless resources in heterogeneous networks (HetNets). In this paper, we study the creation of virtual wireless networks through wireless virtualization for mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) where portion of the primary bandwidth is sliced and leased to the MVNOs. For wireless virtualization, owners of wireless infrastructures in HetNets divide and reconfigure their RF bands to sublease to MVNOs based on their service-level-agreements while keeping enough wireless resources to their own users. Next, we leverage the wireless virtualization to investigate the network sum-capacity and revenue maximization problems for MVNOs where MVNOs offer competitive prices to attract more users for wireless communications. We evaluate the performance of the proposed approach using different metrics such as network sum-capacity, revenue of the MVNOs, competitive price for RF spectrum usage that is based on the spectral capacity of the MVNOs, and the outage probability. Numerical results obtained from simulations show that the sum-capacity of virtual network can be maximized while maximizing their revenue and offering lower/competitive spectrum-usage price for their users.

Wireless network virtualization has been envisioned as a promising technology to enhance resource utilization and reduce expenditure. In this paper, we propose a virtual resource allocation strategy in a mobile virtual network, which reuses spectrum resource to reduce the physical resource that service providers (SPs) need to purchase and also enhance spectrum efficiency. Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) benefit not only from sales of the spectrum resource, but also from its reuse levels by SPs. However, the SP's service quality requirement and user channel state information are hidden information to the MVNO, and are the basis needed for the MVNO's resource allocation design. Besides, how many users will be arranged to reuse is a hidden action, independently decided by the SPs themselves, which the MVNO is unable to know. To deal with the two kinds of asymmetric information problems, we design contracts which include two parts of fees charged for each SP. First of all, SPs are classified into different types based on their distinct characteristics and assigned with corresponding resource prices to deal with the hidden information problem. Then to incentivize higher resource reuse level, rank-order tournament (ROT) design is adopted to obtain the MVNO's commission rates for SPs. Numerical results show that our scheme can improve the utility of both SPs and MVNOs as well as the spectrum efficiency.

On the competitive effects of mobile virtual network operators

End-to-End (E2E) network slicing enables wireless networks to provide diverse services on a common infrastructure. Each E2E slice, including resources of radio access network (RAN) and core network, is rented to mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) to provide a specific service to end-users. RAN slicing, which is realized through wireless network virtualization, involves sharing the frequency spectrum and base station antennas in RAN. Similarly, in core slicing, which is achieved by network function virtualization, data center resources such as commodity servers and physical links are shared between users of different MVNOs. In this paper, we study E2E slicing with the aim of minimizing the total energy consumption. The stated optimization problem is non-convex that is solved by a sub-optimal algorithm proposed here. The simulation results show that our proposed joint power control, server and link allocation (JPSLA) algorithm achieves 30% improvement compared to the disjoint scheme, where RAN and core are sliced separately.

In this paper, we analyze the tradeoff between the profits gained by mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA)-based virtualized wireless network (VWN). In this respect, MVNOs rent the network resources from a mobile network operator (MNO) to create virtual resources based on allocated rates and the cost due to allocated transmit powers in two different strategies: resource-based isolation strategy and rate-based isolation strategy. In resource-based isolation strategy, it is assumed that the whole bandwidth in each base station is divided equally between MVNOs whereas in rate-based isolation strategy, the whole bandwidth in each base station is allocated dynamically between MVNOs. We then formulate a multi-objective optimization problem (MOOP) to show the tradeoff between the maximum profit of each MVNO. To solve the formulated MOOP, we adopt the weighted Tchebycheff approach, which can provide the complete Pareto optimal region for nonconvex problems. Thus, by developing such formulation, we will be able to find the best profit gained by MVNOs. We also employ monotonic optimization to obtain the global optimal solutions of the non-convex problems by applying polyblock outer approximation algorithm. Our numerical results show the importance of the aforementioned tradeoffs and confirm that the proposed geometric programming (GP) based algorithm achieves excellent performance as compared to the monotonic method.

Performance of wireless networks for Internet of Things (IoT) is suffering from exponential growth of lightweight hand-held and smart IoT devices as well as the data flow in the network. Static assignment of wireless resources is creating bottleneck to the further development of emerging applications, including IoT and cyber-physical systems. Wireless network virtualization through slicing of primary wireless resources is regarded as an emerging approach for enhancing overall network performance to solve the bottleneck problem for those emerging applications. In this paper, we study wireless virtualization where a three-layer game is formulated for wireless infrastructure providers (WIPs), mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and IoT devices (or end users). In the proposed three-layer game, players play sequentially to find out their optimal strategies. With the help of a controller, WIPs divide and reconfigure their RF bands to sublease frequency slices to MVNOs based on their service-level-agreement. MVNOs let end users use their subleased frequency slices. For the game, we present a unique optimal solution that facilitates a tradeoff between quality of service of end users, payoffs of MVNOs and payoff of WIPs. We also present a necessary condition and closed form for the existence of an equilibrium in the game. Furthermore, performance of the proposed approach is evaluated using numerical results which show that the payoffs of WIPs and MVNOs are maximized while offering competitive price for the subleased RF spectrum for their users.

Providing mobile cloud services requires seamless integration between various platforms to offer mobile users optimum performance. To achieve this, many fundamental problems such as bandwidth availability and reliability, resource scarceness, and finite energy must be addressed before rolling out such services. This chapter aims to explore technological challenges for mobile cloud computing in the area of resource management focusing on both parts of the infrastructure: mobile devices and cloud networks. Starting with introducing mobile cloud computing, it then stresses the importance of resource management in the operation of mobile cloud services presenting various types of resources available for cloud computing. Furthermore, it examines the various types of resource management techniques available for mobile clouds. Finally, future directions in the field of resource management for mobile cloud computing environment are presented.

Video is expected to be the dominant application by traffic volume over mobile networks in the near future. Mobile network operators are deploying video optimization techniques to enhance the user experience and network utilization for video delivery. Video optimization is typically “out-of-network” and includes techniques such as transcoding, transrating, time shifting and pacing that are implemented outside of mobile radio access and core networks. However, such techniques cannot easily exploit information about real time cell congestion and radio conditions for the video terminals because it is difficult to obtain such information from the radio access network. We propose a novel “in-network” video optimization technique, named Adaptive Guaranteed Bit Rate (AGBR), for HTTP-based Adaptive Streaming (HAS) video. This optimization technique is implemented at the base station and can thus exploit knowledge of the radio and congestion conditions. With only limited knowledge of the video stream properties or content, AGBR works by adjusting the throughput delivered to the different HAS clients that in turn adjust the video quality they request. The optimization algorithm maximizes aggregate quality across multiple video flows served by the base station without starving data clients, thereby improving the overall quality of experience. We demonstrate through extensive analytical modeling and simulations that AGBR can adapt to changing network conditions to support more video sessions at an acceptable quality than alternative algorithms, while enforcing fairness among all users competing for resources within a sector.

Competition in Wireless Telecommunications: The Role of MVNOs and Cable’s Entry into Wireless

Cellular networks are now facing severe traffic overload problems due to the explosive growth of mobile data traffic. One of the promising solutions is to offload part of the traffic through WiFi. In this paper, we investigate an oligopoly offloading market, where several mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) compete to serve end users using network infrastructures leased from the host mobile network operator (MNO). First, we study the competitive interaction among multiple MVNOs considering the overload problems of the offloading market. Then, we formulate the interaction as a noncooperative inventory game, where each MVNO determines the amount of cellular traffic provided to end users (named as the traffic inventory). Particularly, we investigate two different behavior patterns of the MVNOs known as Cournot and Stackelberg models. Then, we analyze and derive the existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium in each inventory game. Furthermore, algorithms are designed to achieve the equilibriums. Based on these analyses, we find the optimal inventory strategy for these competing MVNOs. Finally, simulation results demonstrate the interactions among the MNO, MVNOs, and end users in the offloading market.

The global market size of Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in 2025 is a multibillion-dollar industry that provides flexible and cost-effective mobile services to millions of customers across the globe. The MVNO sector in Kenya has registered some success in the wireless mobile market, but it is not clear the extent to which they have embraced differentiated services, and distinct market segments that are core to their success. The aim of the study was to find the available MVNO differentiated services, market segments, and their level of utilisation in the Kenyan market through a qualitative method approach of literature review, interviews, observations, and content analysis from the Mobile Network Operator (MNO), MVNO sector, and the Communications Authority (CA) of Kenya. The study found that the MVNO market share in Kenya is low against global competitive values of (10%-50%). MNOs, MVNOs, and financial institutions partly targeted the same services and operated in the same market segments. The level of service differentiation and market segmentation is low, and so is the level of utilisation of differentiated services and market segments. Mobile money transfer services, and electronic airtime/data vending services in the financial and retail market segments, respectively, performed well and were gainfully utilised. Utilisation of differentiated services in the other market segments is insignificant. Key limitation was the lack of MVNO regulatory framework on which to critique the sector from a local perspective, and the lack of previous research to establish a baseline for new findings. The MVNO landscape, however, is virgin and promising.

Cloud computing enables the on-demand delivery of resources for a multitude of services and gives the opportunity for small agile companies to compete with large industries. In the telco world, cloud computing is currently mostly used by mobile network operators (MNO) for hosting non-critical support services and selling cloud services such as applications and data storage. MNOs are investigating the use of cloud computing to deliver key telecommunication services in the access and core networks. Without this, MNOs lose the opportunities of both combining this with over-the-top (OTT) and value-added services to their fundamental service offerings and leveraging cost-effective commodity hardware. Being able to leverage cloud computing technology effectively for the telco world is the focus of mobile cloud networking (MCN). This paper presents the key results of MCN integrated project that includes its architecture advancements, prototype implementation, and evaluation. Results show the efficiency and the simplicity that a MNO can deploy and manage the complete service lifecycle of fully cloudified, composed services that combine OTT/IT- and mobile-network-based services running on commodity hardware. The extensive performance evaluation of MCN using two key proof-of-concept scenarios that compose together many services to deliver novel converged elastic, on-demand mobile-based but innovative OTT services proves the feasibility of such fully virtualized deployments. Results show that it is beneficial to extend cloud computing to telco usage and run fully cloudified mobile-network-based systems with clear advantages and new service opportunities for MNOs and end-users.

An important target for 5G networks is to enable resource sharing among network tenants such as Mobile Virtual Network Operators and Service Providers. Several domains of resource sharing have been considered including infrastructure (compute, storage and networking), transport, Radio Access Network (RAN) and Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum. RAN and spectrum sharing are expected to be an integral part of a multi-tenant 5G network. In this paper, a centralized, fine-grained active RAN and spectrum sharing approach has been presented and analyzed using a modified SimuLTE model. The presented model can be used for analyzing active RAN and spectrum sharing models considered in a multi-tenant 5G network. We present the core modules that enable dynamic allocation of RAN slices with dedicated spectrum and resource scheduling functions. We also present preliminary simulation results that give an insight into the actual benefits and trade-offs of active spectrum sharing among RAN tenants at different time-frequency granularities.

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are of immense value to the mobile telecommunications industry as they provide services at an affordable rate to customers and work with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) who own the telecommunication infrastructure. This is because Mobile Network Operators sell airtime at wholesale rates to Mobile Virtual Network Operators. The Mobile Virtual Network Operators retain their brand name whilst having an arrangement with their host who is the Mobile Network Operator (MNO). This article therefore identifies the bottlenecks experienced by MNOs in establishing relationships with MVNOs in Nigeria. The article also covers the various forms of MVNO business models available in the industry and the types of policies that support the MVNO success and sustainability.