Broadband Infrastructure Research Articles

The Game of Being Mobile

/ In media cultures of late, the synergy between two global dominant industries — mobile communication and gaming — has attracted much attention and stargazing. As part of burgeoning global media cultures, gaming and mobile media are divergent in their adaptation at the level of the local. In some locations where broadband infrastructure is strong and collectivity is emphasized (such as South Korea), online multiplayer games prevail. In locations where convergent mobile technologies govern (such as Japan), mobile gaming platforms dominate. In order to address the uneven adoption and definitions of mobile gaming, this paper will focus on the convergence between mobile technologies and gaming in the Asia-Pacific. By focusing on a phenomenon that prevails in both realms and cute culture, this paper will also consider how consumption and production of new technologies are conceptualized in the region. This paper argues that by looking at the phenomenon of cute culture, we can gain insight into the divergent definitions of gaming and mobility in the region, which in turn reflect the continuing localized nature of contemporary global culture.

Technology investment strategy in the presence of competitor entry: Broadband deployment in the US telecommunications industry

We evaluated the broadband deployment strategy of incumbent firms in the local exchange sector of the US telecommunications industry (1994–1998), each of which must devise strategies for dealing with new firms entering their markets. We found that incumbents consistently under-invested in fiber optics that would have enabled them to upgrade their broadband infrastructure in the face of competitive entrants. Contrary to theories of entry deterrence, this behavior did not signal accommodation by monopolistic incumbents. Rather, it was consistent with an entrapment strategy: when a new firm entered and invested in capacity, the incumbents used their monopoly power to deny access or to provide poor-quality access, thereby making the competitors’ product quality worse than the incumbent's, leading to customer dissatisfaction and revenue losses that could eventually weaken the rival. Yet, such a strategy was dysfunctional. A strategy of investment would have been best for the incumbents since the gains from triggering network externalities would have been substantial. As new competitors entered the incumbents’ markets, the best strategy for the incumbents would have been to reciprocate positively, invest in fiber capacity, and then play tit for tat. If the incumbents had invested in broadband and even more competitive entrants followed, which in turn caused greater broadband investment, and so on, the wiring of the entire United States by new entrants and incumbents with broadband technology would today be complete.

Seoul: Birth of a Broadband Metropolis

Following half a century of breakneck urbanization, the capital of South Korea emerged in the late 1990s as the most digitally networked city in the world. With nearly 80% household broadband penetration in 2004, Seoul surpassed global cities and ‘technopoles' in speed and comprehensiveness in embracing broadband technology. In this paper I describe the physical development of Seoul's broadband infrastructure and its frequent intersections with daily urban life. As the fourth largest urban agglomeration in the world, Seoul offers a unique case for investigating the intersection of telecommunications policy, development, and culture in large metropolitan regions, as well as the everyday implications of pervasive computing. It also highlights emerging challenges and opportunities presented by the rapid and widespread deployment of digital network infrastructure.

A tele-obstetric broadband service including ultrasound, videoconferencing and cardiotocogram. A high cost and a low volume of patients

We established a tele-obstetric service connecting the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Nordland Hospital in Bodø to the delivery unit at the Nordland Hospital in Lofoten. The telemedicine service included a videoconferencing link (3 Mbit/s) for transmission of ultrasound scans and a low-speed data link (telephone modem) for transmission of cardiotocograms (CTGs). One hundred and thirty pregnant women entered the antenatal clinic in Lofoten during the eight-month study period. A total of 140 CTGs were recorded. The tele-ultrasound service was used in five cases (4%). The cases were serious malformation, Down's syndrome, breech presentation, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy and triplets. Analysis showed that the cost of patient travel was NOK 2460 per transfer. The variable cost of videoconferencing was NOK 250 per consultation. However, the total investment costs for the telemedicine service, including the broadband infrastructure, was NOK 1.7 million (Euro 212,000). The telemedicine service was not cost saving at annual workloads below 208. We conclude that the installation has to be used by other medical specialities to make it cost-effective.

Gap Analysis and Deployment Architectures for 3GPP2 MMD Networks

Mobile and fixed operators are offering broadband access to the Internet by either adding wireless access to their existing core networks (e.g., CDMA IxEVDO. GPRS, and WiFi) or continuing to evolve existing broadband infrastructures (e.g., DSL, Cable and FTTx). Consequently, IMS and MMD architectures as defined by 3GPP and 3GPP2 are becoming increasingly important to network operators, in particular, for offering ubiquitous service and seamless mobility to end users, along with management and control Although 3GPP2 MMD architecture has adopted most of the 3GPP IMS core functionalities and interfaces, it added several other unique functional components and interfaces to fit the specific need of CDMA2000 access networks Therefore, it is important to understand the gaps and issues associated with the 3GPP2 MMD architecture with regard to the 3GPP IMS architecture. In this paper, we first analyze the functional and protocol level differences between IMS and MMD architectures. Based on our analysis, we then articulate several deployment architectural alternatives for 3GPP2 MMD networks and finally analyze the pros and cons of each architecture.

Development of alternative broadband infrastructures – Case studies from Denmark

Alternative broadband infrastructures are emerging and developing fast. These networks are based on different technologies and offer assorted services, applied through various organisational structures, using diverse business models. Due to their alternative nature, these emerging infrastructures operate on other premises than existing operators and face different potentials and challenges in their operations. This article uses four detailed case studies from Denmark to identify the technological, economic and political/regulatory drivers and barriers of alternative broadband infrastructures, including the role of the government in fostering their existence.

The Debate on Net Neutrality: A Policy Perspective

The status quo of prohibiting broadband service providers from charging websites for preferential access to their customers—the bedrock principle of net neutrality (NN)—is under fierce debate. We develop a game-theoretic model to address two critical issues of NN: (1) Who are gainers and losers of abandoning NN? (2) Will broadband service providers have greater incentive to expand their capacity without NN? We find that if the principle of NN is abolished, the broadband service provider stands to gain from the arrangement, as a result of extracting the preferential access fees from content providers. Content providers are thus left worse off, mirroring the stances of the two sides in the debate. Depending on parameter values in our framework, consumer surplus either does not change or is higher in the short run. When compared to the baseline case under NN, social welfare in the short run increases if one content provider pays for preferential treatment but remains unchanged if both content providers pay. Finally, we find that the incentive to expand infrastructure capacity for the broadband service provider and its optimal capacity choice under NN are higher than those under the no-net-neutrality (NNN) regime, except in some specific cases. Under NN, the broadband service provider always invests in broadband infrastructure at the socially optimal level but either under- or overinvests in infrastructure capacity in the absence of NN.

Why Japan and Korea lead the USA and Europe in broadband

Data on broadband performance shows that Japan and Korea are significantly ahead of the USA and Europe. Korea is by far the global front-runner in terms of broadband penetration. However, Japan is the global leader in terms of speed, price and diffusion of advanced technology (specifically Fibre-To-The-Home (FTTH)). This paper explains these three puzzles, drawing out the lessons for Europe regarding the development of broadband infrastructure, which provides the basis for the evolution and transformation of the entire global ICT sector. Specifically, three interrelated explanations are given: (1) the role played by what are referred to as 'disruptive' competitors or new entrants; (2) the importance of competition between technologies and (3) the significance of the strength of regulation.

A ‘Mobile’ Technology and Waiting for the Broadband ‘Horse Trade’

Webcasting in Australia is currently the domain of national broadcasters, independent and community radio stations and the two leading football codes. This paper reports on the findings of a content analysis of 20 leading webcasters as to the content and genres they provide. In examining the factors affecting the 'slow' adoption of webcasting in Australia such as the absence ofa high speed broadband infrastructure, the paper analyses and how its various discourses were framed by the parties concerned, and how the clash of conflicting agendas shaped the negotiations between the main stakeholders, taking on the characteristics of a 'horse trade '. Thereafter, the paper critically examines how other technologies such as mobile phones and Pay TV has begun to take on webcasting, instead of waitingfor the major commercial broadcasters to do so or a new broadband network and a national broadband strategy to be implemented.

Broadband penetration and broadband competition: evidence and analysis in the EU market

PurposeTo examine broadband competition and broadband penetration in a set of countries that employ the same regulation framework. To define the policy and strategy required to promote broadband in weak markets that do not employ alternative infrastructures.Design/methodology/approachStudy penetration and competition level statistics from 2002 to 2005 in a set of countries with different infrastructures deployed, services provided as well as in their social‐economic structures but employing the same regulation framework. Measure the level of inter‐platform and intra‐platform competition as well as the availability of bitstream access versus the incumbents' shares.FindingsThe paper concludes that a mature broadband market is the one that exhibits a high penetration ratio in combination with a high competition level. Bitstream access can counterbalance the inexistence of alternative broadband infrastructures, especially in weak markets. In particular the availability of numerous bitstream access types in combination with the proper price differentiation can fuel broadband adoption in relatively weak broadband markets.Originality/valueThe paper challenges the general rule that only platform (also known as facility) based competition guarantees long‐term growth of the broadband market. Bitstream and resale access do not lag local loop unbundling and can be used in weak markets that do not employ alternative infrastructures to fuel competition in the relevant markets. Different policies and strategies must be followed, in that case, on behalf of the local NRA.

Exploiting Digital Switchover for Broadband Services Access in Rural Areas

The paper discuses how the imminent transition to the digital terrestrial television in UHF (DigitalSwitchover) could be employed towards enabling always-on connectivity and triple-play services access even from rural and dispersed locations, i.e. in areas where no termination/connection exists between the local PSTN exchanger and the optical fibre core backbone. Exploiting the European digital video broadcasting standard in regenerative configurations, the paper introduces an architecture that utilises the television stream as a common broadband infrastructure, capable to deliver not only custom digital television bouquets, but also and most predominant, to provide access to triple-play services. Utilising this television beam in backhaul (middle-mile) configurations it extends the core backbone to reach rural and dispersed locations, enabling therefore the immediate and cost-effective deployment (in these areas) of technologies that provide for always-on connectivity, such as WLAN, xDSL, etc.

Digital on the road down-under

Digital mammography is being introduced worldwide in fixed-site screening and diagnostic clinics. BreastScreen Australia services use mobile vans to deliver screening to women in rural and remote Australia. BreastScreen Victoria (BSV) has installed a Computerised Radiology (CR) unit on a mobile van, while BreastScreen Tasmania (BST) has installed a Direct Radiology (DR) system. Digital systems offer benefits over analogue systems on mobile vans. One benefit is image processing without chemicals. Currently, radiographers on BSV and BST mobile vans work 'blind'. They cannot process and view images due to difficulties in maintaining processor quality when vans are moving. Unprocessed films are couriered across the country and women must return if repeat views are required. Digital imaging overcomes this limitation as radiographers can view their images instantaneously. However, digital systems in a mobile environment pose specific problems. Harsh Australian conditions affect system reliability. Movement along rural country roads and temperature fluctuations from -5°C to over 40°C can affect the stability of detectors and lasers. Limited broadband infrastructure poses difficulties in meeting IT and communication network requirements. This poster reports on implementation challenges and compares the strengths and weaknesses of using CR and DR in a digital mobile environment in Australia.

ADSL deployment in the Community of Madrid: Investigating the geographical factors of the digital divide

Realising the potential of the Information Society requires an adequate broadband infrastructure, a sine qua non condition for usage. In many countries, the broadband offer’s geographical coverage strongly depends on ADSL expansion. Thus, it seems important to know the variables conditioning the deployment of its commercial offer. The descriptive analysis made in the Community of Madrid points out that the “size” variable of the municipality (be it measured in number of inhabitants, households, telephone lines or economic activity units) conditions the arrival of ADSL. The discriminant analysis confirms this result although it also shows how other variables affect the different deployment stages.

メタデータを利用した放送通信連携サービス制御方式

With the digitization of broadcasting services and the expansion of broadband infrastructure in recent years, high-quality video-broadcasting service is beginning to be provided over communication media. Furthermore, having an attractive service in which broadcasting and communication cooperate is desirable. We describe a technology and a system for the integrated management and control of various kinds of content distribution, such as real-time broadcasting, broadcasting based on home servers, video on demand, and file downloading, by using the metadata that describes the service control conditions and the content description metadata that conforms to the TV-Anytime Forum specifications.

Augmenting interaction and cognition using agent architectures and technology inspired by psychology and social worlds

Intelligent agents can play a pivotal role in providing both software systems and augmented interfaces, to individual users from all walks of life, to utilise the Internet 24 h a day, 7 days a week (24×7), including interaction with other users, over both wireless and broadband infrastructures. However, traditional approaches to user modelling are not adequate for this purpose, as they mainly account for a generic, approximate, idealised user. New user models are therefore required to be adaptable for each individual and flexible enough to represent the diversity of all users using information technology. Such models should be able to cover all aspects of an individual’s life—those aspects of most interest to the individual user themselves. This paper describes a novel intelligent agent architecture and methodology both called ShadowBoard, based on a complex user model drawn from analytical psychology. An equally novel software tool, called the DigitalFriend based on ShadowBoard, is also introduced. This paper illustrates how aspects of user cognition can be outsourced, using, for example, an internationalised book price quoting agent. The Locales Framework from Computer Supported Co-operative Work is then used to understand the problematic aspects of interaction involved in complex social spaces, identifying specific needs for technology intervention in such social spaces, and to understand how interactions amongst mobile users with different abilities might be technically assisted in such spaces. In this context, the single user-centred multi-agent technology demonstrated in the DigitalFriend is adapted to a multi-user system dubbed ShadowPlaces. The aim of ShadowPlaces is to outsource some of the interaction necessary, for a group of mobile individuals with different abilities to interact cooperatively and effectively in a social world, supported by wireless networks and backed by broadband Internet services. An overview of the user model, the architecture and methodology (ShadowBoard) and the resulting software tool (the DigitalFriend) is presented, and progress on ShadowPlaces—the multi-user version—is outlined.

The Diffusion of Broadband Telecommunications: The Role of Competition

The paper addresses the determinants of diffusion of broadband infrastructure by looking a the US Federal States. It tries to identify in particular to what extent intra- and inter-platform competition contribute to accelerating the speed of diffusion. Panel data analysis results indicate that both types of competition significantly affect the the rate of diffusion, although with different effects. Intra-platform competition seems to have a positive impact only initially on the rate of diffusion, but then dissipates. For the longer term, inter-platform competition has a much more important role in driving the rate of diffusion. The study takes account of the impact of other variables measuring competition in the telecommunications sector as well.

BROADBAND AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: A MUNICIPAL CASE STUDY FROM FLORIDA

In this paper, we explore whether broadband investment by municipalities has an effect on economic growth. To do so, we employ an econometric model to compare economic growth between counties in the State of Florida. Our econometric model shows that Lake County – a small county in central Florida – has experienced significantly greater growth in economic activity relative to comparable Florida counties since making its municipal fiber‐optic network generally available to businesses and municipal institutions in the county. Our findings are consistent with other analyses that postulate that broadband infrastructure can be a significant contributor to economic growth.

Lessons from broadband development in Canada, Japan, Korea and the United States

Broadband network development does not always track closely a nations overall wealth and economic strength. The International Telecommunication Union reported that in 2005 the five top nations for broadband network market penetration were: Korea, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Denmark and Canada. The ITU ranked the United States sixteenth in broadband penetration. Aside from the obvious geographical and demographic advantages accruing to small nations with large urban populations, broadband development thrives when it becomes a national priority. Both developed and developing nations have stimulated capital expenditures for infrastructure in ways United States public and private sector stakeholders have yet to embrace. Such investments have accrued ample dividends including the lowest broadband access costs in the world. For example, the ITU reports that in 2002 Japanese consumers paid $0.09 per 100 kilobits per second of broadband access compared to $3.53 in the United States. Economic policies do not completely explain why some nations offer faster, better cheaper and more convenient broadband services while other nations do not. This paper will examine best practices in broadband network development with an eye toward determining the optimal mix of legislative, regulatory and investment initiatives. The paper will track development in Canada, Japan and Korea as these nations have achieved success despite significantly different geographical, political and marketplace conditions. The paper also notes the institutional and regulatory policies that have hampered broadband development in the United States. The paper also will examine why incumbent local exchange and cable television operators recently have begun aggressively to pursue broadband market opportunities. The paper will analyze incumbents’ rationales for limited capital investment in broadband with an eye toward determining the credibility of excuses based on regulatory risk and uncertainty. The paper concludes with suggestions how national governments might expedite broadband infrastructure development.

Position Paper: Turning the Corner with First Nations Telehealth

Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telehealth Services is an important contributing partner in the development and sustainability of community networks in remote First Nations across northwestern Ontario, Canada. In the past, community members were flown to the nearest hospital to receive medical attention or to consult with a specialist. Today, more and more of these trips are being avoided with the installation of the proper broadband infrastructure and the effective use of telemedicine tools.
 
 The "Turning the Corner with First Nations Telehealth" document highlights the achievements and impacts of these services on the communities participating in this pioneering work. As the Government of Canada and national Aboriginal organizations develop strategies to address the critical health care system, this paper describes the highlights of a community-based health care initiative that is making a difference in the lives of community members.

Broadband: a municipal information platform: Swedish experience

Sweden was one of the first countries to adopt a policy for the introduction of broadband and internet access for everybody. Swedish national policy for the expansion of broadband infrastructure has for the last few years been centered on the build-up of urban networks. Studies of the build-up process show that municipalities in their efforts follow a rather similar way to start the process of introducing broadband, but in spite of that strategies as well as tempo vary enormously between municipalities, due to geographical, economic, social and cultural factors. Tranas, a small municipality in the southern part of Sweden, is an example of an early and successful implementation of urban networks. Tranas' strategy involves not only politicians; it involves representatives from schools, local businesses and essentially all citizens of the community.