Communication Service Providers Research Articles

Game theory based maritime area detection for cloud-edge collaboration satellite network

Maritime area detection technology applies equipment such as high-orbit satellites, gateway ships and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to detection. In this scenario, real-time uploading and analysis of maritime data is crucial. In the existing scenario, UAV data are gathered to the gateway ship and uploaded to the shore-based cloud via the high-orbit satellite, because the communication distance of the high-orbit satellite is far, and when the uploaded data volume is large or the access to the equipment increases, the propagation delay of the uploading of the data from the gateway ship to the satellite and the forwarding of the data from the satellite to the shore-based cloud is longer, and the processing delay of the shore-based cloud is increased, and the efficiency of the data transmission and communication will be affected as well. Aiming at the problem of increasing delay caused by communication limitations in maritime area detection, this paper proposes a maritime area detection scheme based on cloud-side collaboration. The scheme solves the problem of communication limitation from the following two aspects. First, the edge computing nodes are deployed on the ship side of the gateway, and the optimal offloading ratio is sought through game theory to offload a part of the tasks from the center cloud to the edge cloud for processing, which improves the efficiency of processing data and thus reduces the data transmission latency and data processing delay. Secondly, low-orbit (LEO) satellites are introduced to provide communication services, because low-orbit satellites have low orbital altitude and short propagation delay, which can transmit the data at the gateway ship to the shore-based cloud more quickly and improve the data transmission efficiency. Finally, it is also verified by designing experiments that the proposed scheme adopts the optimal offloading ratio and has a lower total delay than the original scheme, thus proving the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.

IoT Solutions for Smart Parking- Sigfox Technology

Sigfox technology has emerged as a competitive product in the communication service provider market for approximately a decade. Widely implemented for smart parking solutions across various European countries, it has now gained traction in Germany as well. The technology's successful track record and reputation in the market demonstrate its effectiveness and reliability in addressing the communication needs of IoT applications, particularly in the context of vehicle parking systems. This is noted in terms of a city like Berlin-Germany, for on which the study is conducted. The major challenge being on how to relate the parking techniques in a more user friendly, cost effective and less energy consumpmti0n mode where the questions had at the beginning of the paper, relatively at the end the answers are sought to it via Sigfox and its comparison with other related technologies like LoRA WAN and weightless. But more so future areas of research study is also pointed out on areas which are not clearly identified in this particular research area. This paper entails the pros, cons adaptive, emerging and existing technology study in terms of cloud, big data, Data analytics are all discussed in tandem to Sigfox.

QoE‐driven multi‐UAV deployment scheme for emergency communication networks

AbstractWhen ground communication infrastructure within a region cannot be used for some reason, deploying unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐mounted base stations is undoubtedly the most effective way to provide communication services. This paper investigates the problem of joint deployment and power allocation of multiple UAVs, where ground terminals (GTs) seek to maximize quality of experience (QoE). In the mixed line‐of‐sight and non‐line‐of‐sight environment, UAVs need to change position in order to collect channel information until deployment problem is solved. Moreover, only neighboring UAVs communicate with each other, which makes the problem more difficult to solve. In order to solve this problem, game theory is used to model this problem and design a distributed learning algorithm to maximize the QoE of all GTs in the entire system. Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed learning algorithm in improving the QoE fairness and achieving the rapid deployment of UAVs.

Performance analysis of a hybrid optical amplifier based 480-Gbps DWDM-FSO system under the effect of different atmospheric conditions

Free space optical (FSO) systems offer a desirable and affordable way of providing communication services in remote locations. They provide secure wireless transmission without the requirement for licensing and with lower implementation costs. However, due to the impact of atmospheric turbulences on the effectiveness of FSO systems, their implementation faces significant challenges. Dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) has shown promise in addressing the growing bandwidth needs in optical networks. This paper introduces a hybrid optical amplifier based system, combining DWDM and FSO technology. Energy conservation in such a system involves optimizing various aspects to reduce power consumption while maintaining or improving performance. The proposed DWDM-FSO system operates at a rate of 480 Gbps and consists of 12 channels, each capable of transmitting data at 40 Gbps. The system's performance is evaluated and compared by determining the Q-factor and bit error rate (BER) for both the cases when hybrid amplifier is employed and with no hybrid amplifier within the C-band, specifically focusing on wavelengths around 1550 nm. Moreover, the length of the FSO link is increased to assess the corresponding Q-factor and BER. Resultantly, the maximum distance for the FSO link is determined, ensuring that it remains within acceptable Q-factor and BER thresholds. Furthermore, the FSO system's effectiveness is assessed and compared across various atmospheric conditions. The findings reveal that, in clear weather conditions, the FSO system achieves a maximum distance of 510 meters while maintaining satisfactory Q-factor and BER values when not utilizing a hybrid amplifier. However, by integrating a hybrid amplifier, the system's reach significantly extends to 1700 m under clear weather conditions, still maintaining acceptable Q-factor and BER values.

FedRDR: Federated Reinforcement Distillation-Based Routing Algorithm in UAV-Assisted Networks for Communication Infrastructure Failures

Traditional Internet of Things (IoT) networks have limited coverage and may experience failures due to natural disasters affecting critical IoT devices, making it difficult for them to provide communication services. Therefore, how to establish network communication service more efficiently in the presence of fault points is the problem we solve in this paper. To address this issue, this study constructs a hierarchical multi-domain data transmission architecture for an emergency network with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) employed as core communication devices. This architecture expands the functionality of UAVs as key network devices and provides a theoretical basis for their feasibility as intelligent network controllers and switches. Firstly, the UAV controllers perceive the network status and learn the spatio-temporal characteristics of air-to-ground network links. Secondly, a routing algorithm within the domain based on federated reinforcement distillation (FedRDR) is developed, which enhances the generalization capability of the routing decision model by increasing the training data samples. Simulation experiments are conducted, and the results show that the average communication data size between each domain controller and the server is approximately 45.3 KB when using the FedRDR algorithm. Compared to the transmission of parameters through federated reinforcement learning algorithms, FedRDR reduces the transmitted parameter size by approximately 29%. Therefore, the FedRDR routing algorithm helps to facilitate knowledge transfer, accelerate the training process of intelligent agents within the domain, and reduce communication costs in resource-constrained scenarios for UAV networks and has practical value.

Joint optimization of UAV position and user grouping for UAV‐assisted hybrid NOMA systems

This article investigates the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in assisting hybrid non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) systems to enhance spectrum efficiency and communication connectivity. A joint optimization problem is formulated for UAV positioning and user grouping to maximize the sum rate. The formulated problem exhibits non‐convexity, calling for an effective solution. To address this issue, a two‐stage approach is proposed. In the first stage, a particle swarm optimization algorithm is employed to optimize the UAV positions without considering user grouping. With the UAV positions optimized, a game theory‐based approach is utilized in the second stage to optimize user grouping and improve the sum rate of the hybrid NOMA system. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed two‐stage method achieves solutions close to the global optimum of the original problem. By optimizing the positions of UAVs and user groups, the sum rate can be effectively improved. Additionally, optimizing the deployment of UAVs ensures better fairness in providing communication services to multiple users.

Peculiarities of the Operation оf Optical Communication in case of emergencies

Today, in connection with the beginning of the full-scale armed invasion of the RF on the territory of Ukraine, questions related to fire safety and stable electricity supply have arisen before our state. It. in turn, led to numerous problems in the communication system. Against this background, after damage to power supply lines and strategic objects, the search and deployment of power supplies independent of the usual supply sources became urgent. After all, under the conditions of emergency and planned power outages, only the presence of such means of power supply as fuel generators and batteries make it possible to provide work and training for a huge number of people. Thanks to the fact that people, without wasting time and wasting energy on unnecessary things and affairs, began to work on the issue that is associated with a sudden or planned power outage for known or not entirely known reasons, work for most people resumed. Autonomous power sources were fuel generators. Small shopping centers and shopping and entertainment centers have installed powerful diesel generators on their premises to power large premises. Some installed one diesel generator on each individual wing. This was done if the room was too large for one diesel generator. Small establishments, for example: cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs, hookah bars, small offices, offices, workshops, etc. installed gasoline generators if the premises were the size of a garage, a three-room apartment with an area of 92 m2 or the size of a small two-story country house with walls 8 meters long each and ceilings up to 2 meters high. Powerful diesel generators were installed in the premises, which were more than 100 m2 in area. Most generators had an automatic start feature. Some generators had an installed automatic start function, and some did not have this function, and therefore had to install this function separately. Telecommunications companies and mobile communication service companies and provider companies that sell and service cable Internet also did not waste time and effort and also installed generators on their territories. Provider companies and mobile communication service companies were the first to decide to install autonomous emergency power supplies in their territories. This was done on purpose, since the equipment that provided and monitored wireless and cable Internet services and mobile communications services was powered by network electricity, and during the absence of network electricity, the equipment obviously stopped working. Because of this, cable Internet and mobile communications were lost, which had a negative impact on some citizens of Ukraine. It had a negative impact on them, since some citizens, as mentioned above, could work or study remotely. Someone lost their job, someone lost their business due to power outages. Also in connection with this, huge accounting gaps appeared. The introduction and use of emergency power helps solve this problem.

방송·통신 영역에서 자율규제와 법제도 구성에 관한 고찰

Self-regulation can be defined as “an organized business group self-regulating the actions of its members to protect users.” If there is a need to respect the autonomous discipline of the business organization itself in a specific field, it would be good to introduce a self-regulation system. In newly emerging areas, areas that are rapidly changing or areas that require specialized or policy considerations, would be appropriate for business organizations in those areas to self-regulate because existing legal regulations do not reflect reality or cannot properly reflect reality. Even if a self-regulation system is introduced, the degree of legal intervention in the self-regulation system of business organizations may vary depending on the characteristics of the industry. If the scope of the area is diverse or subject to frequent change, the scope of self-regulation may be narrowed due to strong legal intervention, and in areas dealing with detailed, technical, and specialized matters, the private sector should be able to demonstrate efficiency and expertise. It is desirable to reduce the degree of legal intervention through self-regulation. In relation to freedom of speech, due to the constitutional order to guarantee the public’s freedom of expression as much as possible, state regulation should be minimized, and self-regulation by business organizations to replace it is judged to be effective. In addition, due to the emergence of new technologies and technological advancement in the field of broadcasting and communications, regulation by the existing positive system for industries in this field makes efficient industrial development difficult. However, as the provision of information through social media, Internet news, OTT services etc., the side effects caused by digital media exceeded a certain level and reached a level of social conflict and infringement of other people’s rights, countries around the world have started to regulate illegal information through national legal regulations. Self-regulation was judged to be insufficient to prevent the creation and distribution of false information, hate speech, etc. In order for a self-regulatory system to operate properly, it is important to secure the democratic legitimacy of self-regulatory organizations, operational transparency, independence, and enforcement of regulations. The German self-regulatory organization for multimedia service providers is the German Self-Regulation Organization for Multimedia Service Providers(FSM). The German Youth and Media Protection Committee approved FSM, a self-regulatory organizationy, to protect youth from media content. The United States is a country that operates a representative private self-regulation system. However, direct administrative regulations have recently become more prominent in the broadcasting and communications fields due to issues such as unfair trade or monopoly. The UK's self-regulatory organization is the Internet Watch Foundation(IWF). IWF carries out tasks such as deleting posts related to child sexual abuse, blocking access, and preventing search/access, and is operating a hotline as the most basic activity to make this possible. The Australian Communications and Media Authority(ACMA) is the broadcasting and communications regulator. ACMA is a government-affiliated organization and is a co-regulation model between the government and the private sector that supports and cooperates in the establishment of industry codes. The self-regulation system stipulated in Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act is actually close to administrative regulation. It is appropriate for information and communication service provider organizations to determine and implement a code of conduct for information and communication service providers, rather than a matter to be stipulated in the Information and Communications Network Act,

The integrated sphere of coopetition of digital services and the regulatory approach of diagonal equity

Telecommunications Service providers (TSPs) and Content and Application Providers (CAPs) that operate over the Internet are traditionally regarded as complementary. However, the growth of 5G technologies has led to the emergence of an integrated sphere of competition and cooperation between TSPs and CAPs.The new elements of this competitive landscape stem from the hybridization of network provisioning, the growth of substitute services, and the emergence of end to end value networks comprising of devices, connectivity solutions, and a variety of content and application services. Simultaneously, the regulatory drivers that occasioned a differential treatment of TSP in their role as providers of essential utility communication services are converging with the features observed with respect to certain CAPs. These dynamics warrant the application of a new regulatory framework in the form of Diagonal Equity, that recognizes the need for similar regulatory principles to be applied to TSPs and CAPs, while acknowledging that with respect to certain issues a differential treatment will continue to be required.

An efficient frame preemption algorithm for time-sensitive networks using enhanced graph convolutional network with particle swarm optimization

Numerous time-sensitive applications are being made possible by the Internet of Things (IoT) phenomenon, which calls for real-time transmission to provide communication services. Applications that depend on low latency have been made possible because of the 5G Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) scenario. Widely regarded as a possible paradigm for achieving the deterministic transmission guarantees for 5G, Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) has gained much attention. TSN, on the other hand, is a hybrid traffic system that combines best-effort and time-sensitive traffic, necessitating efficient routing and frame preemption to provide a predictable and limited latency. On the other hand, time-sensitive and non-time-sensitive traffic optimization significantly broaden the issue area and increase the difficulty of establishing a solution. This research presents Enhanced Graph Convolutional Network-based Deep Reinforcement Learning (EGCN-based DRL) solutions for the joint optimization problem in real-world communication contexts. The EGCN is included in deep reinforcement learning to obtain the network's spatial dependency and enhance the generalization performance of the suggested technique (DRL). Specifically, the EGCN approximates the graph convolution kernel using the first-order Chebyshev polynomial, which reduces the complexity of the algorithm and improves the feasibility of the task. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is also employed to hasten the convergence of the model training process. The objective of TSN is to provide deterministic and time-critical communication capabilities over Ethernet networks. TSN aims to enable reliable, low-latency, and synchronized communication between devices, ensuring that time-sensitive data and control messages are delivered with high precision and determinism. The suggested EGCN-based DRL algorithm surpasses cutting-edge techniques in terms of average end-to-end latency, and it also converges quickly, according to numerical simulations.

Emergency communication service solution based on UAV swarm

It has a broad application prospect to provide communication services with UAVs. In this paper, the authors propose an emergency communication service scheme based on UAV swarm, which can provide users with stable network connection to communication services when they are far from the base station. In our design, multiple UAVs will be placed in the middle of the base station and the target area to form a multi-antenna array. Beamforming technology is applied to increase the signal strength through the UAV and transmit the signal from the base station to the target area. Above the target area, we will deploy multiple UAVs using OFDM technology to provide signal relay services for users below. Through simulation and calculation on MATLAB and python, we verify the feasibility and applicability of this scheme.

Fair Communications in UAV Networks for Rescue Applications

We study the deployment of a UAV network to provide urgent communications to people trapped in a disaster zone, where each UAV is an aerial base station in the air. Unlike most existing studies that assumed that each user communicates with a UAV directly, we introduce D2D communications, in which a user within the communication range of a UAV can serve as a hotspot (e.g., WiFi hotspot), and provide communication services to his nearby users who are out of the communication range of any UAV. More users thus can have the communication service provided by the UAV network. To ensure that the users within and out of the communication ranges of deployed UAVs have fair communication quality, we study a novel UAV deployment and resource allocation problem under the D2D communication model, which is to deploy K given UAVs in the top of a disaster zone, allocate the bandwidth of each UAV to its served users, allocate the bandwidth of each hotspot to his served users, determine the data rate of each user, and find the routing paths for data transmissions, such that the accumulative utility of all users is maximized. We also propose a novel ( 1-1/e-)-approximation algorithm algMaxUtility for the problem, where e is the base of the natural logarithm, and is a given constant with 0 < < 1-1/e. We finally evaluate the performance of the algorithm. Experimental results show that accumulative utility by the algorithm is up to 18% larger than those by existing algorithms. In addition, more than 16% users are served in the deployed UAV network by the proposed algorithm.

Performance Improvement in UAV Communication Systems With Uncertain Solar Energy Supply

In this paper, we study a problem of improving the communication performance in a solar-assisted UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) communication system (SA-UCS) where UAVs equipped with solar panels are deployed to provide communication services to ground users in a target area. Previous works have ignored the inherent uncertainty in solar energy supply caused by naturally unpredictable weather conditions and UAV vibrations, consequently degrading communication performance in SA-UCSs. To bridge the gap, we propose to explore the extreme value theory to tackle uncertain solar energy supply. Specifically, we formulate a throughput maximization problem that is subject to transmission power, link capacity, UAV position, and minimum residual energy. To handle the uncertainty in solar energy supply, we propose to find the GEV (generalized extreme value) distribution of the minimum amount of harvested solar energy, in order to bound the solar energy supply in extreme cases. To solve the formulated problem, which is in general non-convex, we develop an iterative optimization method that first decomposes the originally formulated problem into two sub-problems being solved alternately at each iteration through employing the successive convex approximation (SCA) technique. We perform extensive simulations using real-world data from the National Solar Radiation Database NSRD18. The simulation results corroborate the throughput enhancement with guaranteed energy supply available for UAV communications. Additionally, the results also show the fast convergence achieved by the developed iterative method.

Exclusion Clauses in Mobile Communications Industry

Exclusion clauses are contractual provisions commonly employed by mobile communications service providers to limit their liability and protect their interests. However, the extensive use of such clauses raises concerns regarding consumer rights and legal enforceability. This article presents an analysis of exclusion clauses in the mobile communications industry, aiming to shed light on their implications and consequences for consumers. By examining legal frameworks, industry practices, and relevant case studies, this study explores the enforceability of exclusion clauses, their impact on consumer protection, and potential legal challenges they may face. The paper highlights the need for a balanced approach that safeguards both the interests of service providers and the rights of consumers. By providing insights into this critical yet understudied aspect of mobile communications contracts, this article contributes to the broader discourse on fair contractual practices and encourages informed decision-making among policymakers, legal professionals, and consumers alike.

On Joint Optimization of UAV-Assisted Covert Communication Systems with NOMA for Hydropower Internet of Things

The intelligent terminals deployed in hydropower IoT can quickly sense the status of hydropower equipment, thus improving the efficiency of system control and operation. However, communication security between the base station and intelligent terminals challenges the IoT hydropower plant. In this paper, we propose a UAV-assisted covert communication system (CCS), where a UAV acts as the base station to provide communication service to ground terminals monitored by malicious users. To improve access effectiveness, we adopt non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) for intelligent terminals to access the hydropower IoT. Since two devices can synchronously access the communication system with the NOMA scheme, we select one terminal to receive covert messages and the other to interfere with the malicious users to detect confidential communications. To maximize the covert rate, we formulate the optimization problem that jointly optimizes the transmit power, the altitude of the UAV, and trajectory under the constraints of covertness and the finite length of the transmission message block. Additionally, we transform the optimization problem into a geometric planning one, which is solved by a developed sequential geometric planning (SGP) approximation algorithm. Simulation results show the proposed algorithm can improve the covert rate compared to the traditional methods.

Cybersecurity regulatory challenges for connected and automated vehicles – State-of-the-art and future directions

The technological advancements of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) are outpacing the current regulatory regime, potentially resulting in a disconnect between legislators, technology, and CAV stakeholders. Although many studies explore the regulatory requirements of operations of CAVs, studies on regulatory challenges specific to the cybersecurity of CAVs are also emerging and receiving lots of attention among researchers and practitioners. However, studies providing an up-to-date synthesis and analysis on CAVs regulatory requirements specific to cyber-risk reduction or mitigation are almost non-existent in the literature. This study aims to overcome this limitation by presenting a comprehensive overview of the role of key Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) stakeholders in CAV's cybersecurity. These stakeholders include road operators, service providers, automakers, consumers, repairers, and the general public.The outcome of this review is an in-depth synthesis of CAV-based ITS stakeholders by visualising their scope in developing a Cybersecurity Regulatory Framework (CRF). The study demonstrated the compliance requirements for ITS communication service providers, regulatory standards for CAVs automakers, policy readiness for CAVs customers and the general public who interact with CAVs, and the role of the CAVs Network Operator Centre in regulating CAVs data flow. Moreover, the study illuminates several critical pathways necessary in future for synthesizing and forecasting the legal landscape of CAV-based transportation systems to integrate the regulatory framework for CAV stakeholders. The paper's findings and conclusions would assist policymakers in developing a comprehensive CRF.

Market Concentration and Competitiveness in Indian Telecom Industry

The importance of telecommunication services is increasingly growing as an integral part of the infrastructural base for socio-economic development of an economy. In order to efficiently provide communication services with improved quality at the lowest price, it demanded a shift of market structure from a government monopoly to a more competitive structure. We are analyzing the changes in the market structure and competition of telecom service industry in India. The major data source of this study is Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) Prowess firm level data, from which the telecommunication service data of firms are taken. The major methodology which followed to measure competition in a market, the concentration ratios is computed, due to their ability to capture structural features of the market. It is found that almost all the concentration indices exhibit the same trend in the concentration level of the market. Concentration level is decreasing year by year and thus, competition is increasing. Even though there are many players in the market, the Indian telecom industry is controlled by a few. Through accuracy measures of index, it is found that the GRS index is the ideal index which indicates a moderate level of competition compared to other indices. As far as telecom industry is concerned, moderate level of competition exists with the oligopoly market structure

Obligations of the providers of electronic communications services in terms of the general and indiscriminate retention of traffic and location data – a commentary on the Judgment of the Court (Grand Chamber) of 5 April 2022 in the Case C-140/20 G.D. v The Commissioner of the Garda Síochána and Others.

Over the years, the issue of indiscriminate and general retention of traffic and location data has been considered many times by the Court of Justice. The Court has concluded that this is a tool that violates the rights included in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and that its further use should be limited only to the most serious purposes. In the commented judgment, the right of Member States to impose obligation of indiscriminate and general retention of data of users of this network onto the providers of electronic communications services was limited to precisely defined situations and in certain situations, methods of data retention that are less infringing on fundamental rights were explicitly named and allowed by the Court.

Secure Efficiency Map-Enabled UAV Trajectory Planning

This letter investigates the dynamic changes of security and efficiency in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-to-ground network with a mobile UAV transmitter, a mobile ground receiver, and a fixed eavesdropper, respectively. To provide communication services with high security, spectrum efficiency, and energy efficiency, a concept of secure efficiency map (SEM) is devised and proposed to plan the UAV trajectory. Specifically, the security-efficiency index of each subarea in a certain area for a certain time slot is firstly calculated. Then, given that the security-efficiency index is time-varying, and CNN-LSTM network can effectively extract data features and accurately reflect time correlation, we take multiple SEMs drawn from the observed security-efficiency indices as the input of the CNN-LSTM network, and output future SEMs. Thirdly, based on predicted future SEMs, an SEM-enabled UAV trajectory planning scheme is further presented to jointly improve security and efficiency of the considered communication network. Finally, simulation results confirm the proposed SEM-enabled UAV trajectory planning scheme achieves a superior joint optimization of security, spectrum efficiency, and energy efficiency to other UAV trajectory planning schemes.

Enhancing lightweight authenticated key agreement with privacy protection using dynamic identities for Internet of Drones

Authenticated key agreement for Internet of Drones (IoD) enables mobile users to remotely access a group of drones for secure and efficient services, including the transportation of supplies, the transmission of surveillance data and images, the provision of communication services, etc. Recently, several lightweight authenticated key agreement protocols were developed for IoD to address security problems of previous studies, and showed that the security of their protocols were formally proved and their protocols can resist possible attacks. However, this investigation demonstrates the security weaknesses of a previous protocol, which may lead to their scheme lacking user privacy protection, violating session key security, and unable to withstand impersonation attacks, and develops an enhanced protocol by adopting dynamic identities and ensuring message freshness. The enhanced protocol is proved the security using formal proofs and secure against possible attacks. Compared with related protocols, the enhanced protocol solves the previous weaknesses, provides more security requirements, and increased the overall performance by about 28.4%.