Demand For Internet Access Research Articles

Next Generation Internet Policy in Japan, China and India

AbstractThis Internet is facing a critical moment in its history as Internet addresses begin to run out. The Asia Pacific is the region most deeply affected by Internet address depletion, due to its lack of legacy address space and emerging markets with new demand for Internet access. A Next Generation Internet with nearly infinite address space has been created, but transition is costly and uptake has been slow. This article examines Next Generation Internet policy adoption by three Asia‐Pacific countries: Japan, China and India.

Market definition for broadband internet in Slovakia – Are fixed and mobile technologies in the same market?

This paper uses a rich survey of 6446 households in Slovakia to estimate price elasticities of demand for Internet access, and draw implications for market definition. We estimate a mixed logit model, in which households choose between different broadband technologies: DSL, cable modem, fibre, WiFi and mobile. We find that a number of household characteristics influence the technology choices, and there is also significant unobserved heterogeneity. Demand for Internet access is highly price sensitive. The price elasticity of demand for DSL is −3.02, which falls in the middle of the range of elasticities for the other technologies. Furthermore, the price elasticity of demand at the level of all fixed broadband technologies (DSL+cable modem+fibre+WiFi) is equal to −1.98. For a reasonable range of profit margins, this estimate implies that mobile broadband should be included in the relevant antitrust market of fixed broadband. Our findings have implications for competition policy in Central and Eastern European countries where due to poor copper networks mobile broadband is an important alternative to fixed broadband.

QoS Access Points Placement with Fault Tolerance in Wireless Local Area Networks

In this paper, we study the problem of enhancing the fault tolerance of IEEE 802.11 wireless local area networks in the design stage. We aim to settle proper number of access points (APs) and carefully locate them, such that the system can tolerate AP failures while guaranteeing QoS requirement. Given a set of clients (end-users), each client has a traffic demand for Internet access. The problem of our concern is to find out the minimal number of access points and proper location, such that the fault tolerance and QoS constraint are both satisfied. That is, when there is no AP failure, the actual traffic delivery ratio for each client shall exceed the threshold. When their happens that one AP failed, the clients it served can switch to other APs with reconfiguration of the system, while providing an acceptable bandwidth. We proposed a heuristic algorithm, firstly we place one AP in each candidate place and gradually decrease the APs until no more APs can be deleted, in each step we make fault tolerance checking. Our proposed method can effectively solve the problem of tolerating to access point failure in the design phase of wireless local area networks. Simulations are conducted to show the performance of our proposed method.

Funding public computing centers: Balancing broadband availability and expected demand

Abstract The National Broadband Plan (NBP) recently announced by the Federal Communication Commission visualizes a significantly enhanced commitment to public computing centers (PCCs) as an element of the Commission's plans for promoting broadband availability. In parallel, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has channelized part of the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) funding to PCCs. However, BTOP funding was the result of an unprecedented economic crisis, and is unlikely to be repeated. Future programs will need to evolve criteria for selecting projects for funding that maximize their cost-effectiveness. We argue in this paper that basing funding for PCCs on broadband availability (or non-availability), is not as cost-effective as considering a broader array of factors related to demand for internet access at public computer centers. We use data on public libraries from the National Center of Educational Statistics to identify factors predicting high demand for internet access at PCCs. Based on this analysis, we argue that low demand markets may benefit more from consumer outreach and digital literacy programs, than from infrastructure deployment. Also, we argue that markets with high availability, should receive more funding if there is high demand as well, as predicted by our model.

Cost-efficient network mobility scheme over proxy mobile IPv6 network

As Wi-Fi handheld devices providing a variety of data and multimedia services become more widespread, and as the global demand for internet access everywhere rapidly increases, energy-efficient network mobility (NEMO) technology is attracting great attention with respect to the latest research in mobile networking. The previous research relating to energy-efficient networks in mobile networking has focused on routing protocol or topology control. In NEMO, cost-efficient protocol design reduces unnecessary costs because of mobility signalling and packet delivery, and saves limited network bandwidth in both wired and especially wireless, which is one of the important issues of energy efficiency. In this study, the authors propose a cost-efficient proxy router-based NEMO scheme (PR-NEMO) providing efficient mobility management and packet delivery method. In PR-NEMO, a mobile network is formed with a unique ID and the information of mobile network nodes (MNNs) within the mobile network anchored at local mobility anchor (LMA) are distributed to attached mobile access gateway (MAG). The authors analyse the performance of the PR-NEMO with the N-PMIPv6 and the rNEMO in terms of total cost; that is, sum of location update cost and packet-tunnelling cost. Numerical results demonstrate that the PR-NEMO is the most cost-efficient scheme, under various conditions, among the three schemes evaluated.

Minimizing Cost of Placement of Multi-Radio and Multi-Power-Level Access Points with Rate Adaptation in Indoor Environment

This paper addresses the AP placement problem in an indoor environment. Given a set of clients (end users) and their locations, each client has a traffic demand for Internet access. An AP can be equipped with one radio, dual radios, or even three radios (all for client access). Each AP can adjust its transmission power according to its local environment. The problem of our concern is to find out the optimal placement of APs such that the total cost of all APs is minimized, subject to the constraint that the traffic demand for each client can be fulfilled. The cost of an AP includes the cost of the AP box and the cost of radios installed on it. We proposed a heuristic algorithm that initially places an AP at each client location and gradually merges two neighboring APs into one AP until no further merging can be made due to bandwidth constraint. Simulation results show the heuristic algorithm can significantly reduce the total APs' cost, compared with other heuristic methods.

CIC 필터를 이용한 Wavelet OFDM 설계

현재 매우 빠른 속도로 늘어나고 있는 인터넷 수요를 충족시키기 위하여 새로운 통신 대안이 필요하다. 이런 대안들 중에 하나가 바로 광대역 고속 전력선 통신이다. 전력선 통신은 전력을 전달하는 도체에 신호를 같이 실어 보내는 통신 방법이다. 하지만 전력선을 그대로 사용한다는 단점 때문에 기존의 사용되는 통신 시스템과의 간섭이 발생한다. 이런 간섭을 제거하기 위하여 일반적인 방법으로는 Notch 필터를 주로 사용한다. 반면 다른 방법의 하나로 Wavelet OFDM이 사용된다. 본 논문에서는 Wavelet OFDM에서 사용되는 CMFB구조에 CIC 필터를 적용하여 그 부협의 값을 더욱 낮추어 성능을 높이는 방법을 제안한다. Currently, The new communication system was very important because of the increasing demand for Internet access. One of these alternatives is the PLC. But, Power Line is not suitable for communication. So, electromagnetic wave is generated from Power Line during flow of communication information. And the electromagnetic wave is interfered with Wireless Communication Service using the same frequency range. To eliminate this interference by used Notch tilter. Wavelet OFDM in another way, while one is used. In this paper, Wavelet OFDM CIC filter used in the CMFB structure by applying a further lowering the value of the side-lobe is proposed to improve performance.

NET NEUTRALITY AND CONSUMER WELFARE

The Federal Communications Commission's proposed net neutrality rules would, among other things, prohibit broadband access providers from prioritizing traffic, charging differential prices based on the priority status, imposing congestion-related charges, and adopting business models that offer exclusive content or that establish exclusive relationships with particular content providers. The proposed regulations are motivated in part by the concern that the broadband access providers will adopt economically inefficient business models and network management practices due to a lack of sufficient competition in the provision of broadband access services. This paper addresses the competitive concerns motivating net neutrality rules and addresses the potential impact of the proposed rules on consumer welfare. We show that there is significant and growing competition among broadband access providers and that few significant competitive problems have been observed to date. We also evaluate claims by net neutrality proponents that regulation is justified by the existence of externalities between the demand for Internet access and content services. We show that such interrelationships are more complex than claimed by net neutrality proponents and do not provide a compelling rationale for regulation. We conclude that antitrust enforcement and/or more limited regulatory mechanisms provide a better framework for addressing competitive concerns raised by proponents of net neutrality.

Attribute perceptions as factors explaining Mobile Internet acceptance of cellular customers in Germany – An empirical study comparing actual and potential adopters with distinct categories of access appliances

Although demand for Internet access through cellular networks and portable appliances, i.e. Mobile Internet (MI), has recently soared in many countries, the majority of mobile network operator (MNO) customers has still never used MI. Therefore, it is important to gain a better understanding of (1) how MNO customers perceive attributes of MI offers, (2) how these perceptions are related to MI acceptance and (3) the extent to which these judgements and relationships differ as a function of an individual’s adoption status (actual compared to potential MI user) and the appliance category employed to access MI (handset compared to laptop). This study analyses these issues by drawing on MI attributes deduced mainly from diffusion of innovation (DOI) and information economic (IE) literature and by using data collected from a survey of 525 effective and 540 potential MI users in Germany. The multivariate results show that the perceived relative functional advantage and communicability of MI offers were significantly positively and their trialability was significantly negatively correlated with MI acceptance in both customer groups. Overall, perceived DOI-based attributes explained MI acceptance better for actual than for potential users. The share of search qualities relative to that of credence qualities which respondents assigned to MI had a small, but significant positive effect on MI acceptance among potential users. The effectively used or preferred appliance category for MI access exerted strong influence on DOI-based MI attribute assessments, especially among actual adopters: MNO customers who (prefer to) use a laptop to obtain MI access perceived MI features more favorable than persons who (prefer to) use a handset as their primary MI access device. These findings provide insights for MNO and appliance vendors on measures which may effectively promote the acceptance of MI.

Demand estimation and market definition for broadband Internet services

This paper analyses residential demand for internet access in Austria with a focus on broadband internet connections. Austria has a cable network coverage of about 50% and is, therefore, a good candidate to analyse the elasticity of demand for DSL where cable is available and where it is not. We also include mobile broadband via UMTS or HSDPA in our analysis. We estimate various nested logit models and derive conclusions for market definition. The estimation results suggest that the demand for DSL is elastic and that cable networks are likely to be in the same market as DSL connections both at the retail and at the wholesale level. We discuss possible implications for the regulation of wholesale broadband access markets.

The Looming Infrastructure Plateau? Space, Funding, Connection Speed, and the Ability of Public Libraries to meet the Demand for Free Internet Access

While virtually all public libraries provide free Internet access to patrons, libraries seem to be reaching a plateau in their ability to meet demands for Internet access. Based on the findings of Public Libraries and the Internet surveys, the average number of public access workstations and the average connection speeds of Internet access in public libraries have stayed the same or slightly decreased in recent years. Further, more than half of libraries do not have sufficient connection speeds to meet patron demand, while staff, space, cost, and technical/telecommunications infrastructure issues prevent a great number of libraries from increasing the number of workstations or the connection speed in the library. Moreover, the US federal telecommunications and broadband policies require revision and updating. These findings raise serious questions about the ability of public libraries to continue to meet patron needs for Internet access. As a result of early public library commitment to ensuring public Internet access, patrons rely heavily on public libraries to meet their Internet needs. However, as demands for library computers and connection speeds continue to grow, there may be a drop in the quality of Internet services that public libraries are able to provide their patrons. It would also challenge the fundamental role of the contemporary public library in the community, as libraries have become so inextricably linked to the provision of Internet access. In addition, the survey data identify a range of implications regarding the policy environment in which public libraries offer their public access Internet services.

Demand Estimation and Market Definition for Broadband Internet Services

This paper analyses residential demand for internet access in Austria with a focus on broadband internet connections. Austria has a cable network coverage of about 50% and is, therefore, a good candidate to analyse the elasticity of demand for DSL where cable is available and where it is not. We also include mobile broadband via UMTS or HSDPA in our analysis. We estimate various nested logit models and derive conclusions for market definition. The estimation results suggest that the demand for DSL is elastic and that cable networks are likely to be in the same market as DSL connections both at the retail and at the wholesale level. We discuss possible implications for the regulation of wholesale broadband access markets.

United States Demand for Internet Access

This study uses survey data from 2003 to empirically assess United States residential demand for Internet access. Econometric results indicate that service reliability, speed, and the ability to share music and video files are highly valued Internet access attributes. The latter finding suggests commercial development of online file sharing services has potential to generate substantive network effects for access providers, hardware manufacturers, software and content providers. Legal and reimbursement issues need to be resolved between interested telecommunications parties and the entertainment industry to realize these gains in the future.

Assisted Internet Access for Patients in a General Practitioner Surgery: Helping the Information Poor

The elderly and the poor do not readily access health information on the internet, `the digital divide'. The objective of this questionnaire based study in a socially deprived area was to establish the demand for Internet access in a general practitioner surgery (with a helper available), and to determine the relationship of that demand and actual use to previous experience. The influence of a general practitioner's encouragement and reasons for nonuse of the service were investigated. Overall 63%(151/239) were initially interested in accessing the Internet, and of these 92% (139/151) required help. Only 1.8% (3/167) of patients without previous experience of the Internet, `the information poor' actually used the Internet with assistance. 6.9% (5/72) of those with previous experience used it and they were also much more likely 77.7%(56/72) v.s 22.7% (38/167),to wish to do so in the future. 75% (11/14) of patients did not follow a general practitioner's recommendation to use the Internet. The predominant reasons for non-use were lack of time and home Internet access. Patients unfamiliar with the Internet, `the information poor', were unlikely to use the Internet even with assistance.

Internet access in the European Union and in the United States

In Europe and the US demand for Internet access is growing rapidly. Recent data provide evidence that the gap between these regions is once again increasing. Controlling for selected structural and corporate strategic factors, this paper examines the effects of public policies towards traditional communications infrastructures on Internet access. We analyze the nexus between these variables at a qualitative and quantitative level. Based on a pooled set of data, our empirical results indicate a significant influence of policies affecting market entry and the pricing of services on Internet access. Thus, contrary to the view of the Internet as a regulation-free space, important direct and indirect effects originate from regulatory policy.

Determinants of internet access demand in developing economies

The diffusion of internet applications globally depends on both demand and supply of internet access. Industrial countries have the majority of both, while developing countries are still struggling to find a way to set up a useful and sustainable online presence. This article discusses some important factors affecting the demand for internet access in developing countries, and presents an econometric model, which proves that investment in education is the key factor in increasing demand for internet access.

Internet - Services, facilities, protocols and architecture

Why the ongoing surge in Internet popularity? The simplest explanation is that there is nothing else like it. Local area networks enable data exchange only with a select set of other users. The Internet is the largest wide area data network in existence-there are nearly 12 million hosts and over 250 000 web sites covering 83 countries. Currently there are around 40 million users which is expected to grow to 100 million by the year 2000. The Internet can now support storage, searching and transmission of full multimedia data including audio, video, formatted documents as well as conventional data. The Internet allows local and wide area users to communicate with more people, in more ways and provides access to the largest range of database servers in the world. The growth in demand for Internet access has been accompanied by the development of an ever-growing range of client-server tools and GUIs (graphical user interfaces). This tutorial paper discusses a number of the pertinent issues relating to the protocols, architecture, services and facilities of the Internet.

A broadband wireless access network based on mesh-connected free-space optical links

Driven by the twin forces of industry-wide deregulation and the explosive demand for Internet access and bandwidth-intensive multimedia services, broadband local access has emerged as one of the key issues in modern telecommunications. We describe a broadband local access network consisting of small, densely spaced packet-switching nodes interconnected by focused free-space optical links in a multihop mesh arrangement. Each switch serves a client, which may be an office building (containing, for example, conventional PBXs and LANs), a picocellular base station, or both. It is the responsibility of our local access network to economically and reliably extend broadband local access service (perhaps OC-3 or OC-12 for building LANs and PBXs; perhaps several tens of megabits per second to base stations) from an infrastructure end office or fiber ring add/drop multiplexer without requiring the installation of new buried optical cabling. Computed is the capacity of the multihop mesh, defined to be the maximum number of virtual connections which can be delivered to the infrastructure access point such that, independent of the traffic distribution among clients, all quality of service guarantees are maintained.

Internet—services, facilities, protocols and architecture

Why the ongoing surge in Internet popularity? The simplest explanation is that there is nothing else like it. Local area networks enable data exchange only with a select set of other users. The Internet is the largest wide area data network in existence—there are nearly 12 million hosts and over 250 000 web sites covering 83 countries. Currently there are around 40 million users which is expected to grow to 100 million by the year 2000. The Internet can now support storage, searching and transmission of full multimedia data including audio, video, formatted documents as well as conventional data. The Internet allows local and wide area users to communicate with more people, in more ways and provides access to the largest range of database servers in the world. The growth in demand for Internet access has been accompanied by the development of an ever-growing range of client-server tools and GUIs (graphical user interfaces). This tutorial paper discusses a number of the pertinent issues relating to the protocols, architecture, services and facilities of the Internet.

Advanced cellular Internet service (ACIS)

The public's desire for mobile communications and computing, as evidenced by the popularity of cellular phones and laptop computers combined with the explosive demand for Internet access suggest a very promising future for wireless data services. The key to realizing this potential is the development and deployment of high-performance radio systems. In this article we describe a basic service concept, advanced cellular Internet service (ACIS), and the technologies for achieving reliable high-speed transmission to wide-area mobile and portable cellular subscribers with very high spectrum efficiency. Such a wireless service, optimized to meet the needs of a client-server model for information retrieval and Web browsing, and combined with evolutionary enhancements in second-generation technologies, can provide an attractive option for third-generation systems. The radio link design combines OFDM with transmit and receive antenna diversity and Reed-Solomon coding to overcome the link budget and dispersive fading limitations of the cellular mobile radio environment. For access, a dynamic packet assignment algorithm is proposed which combines rapid interference measurements, priority ordering, and a staggered frame assignment schedule to provide spectrum efficiencies of two-to-four times existing approaches.