Showing papers on "Telecom infrastructure sharing published in 2021"

Dynamic Deterministic Digital Infrastructure for Time-Sensitive Applications in Factory Floors

Abstract: By massively digitalizing production processes, the industry expects an efficient and secure cooperation of a large number of machines, as well as an increasing integration of IT-systems for control and services, for instance using edge clouds. Their vision calls for a distributed, converged datacom and telecom infrastructure where performance, can be deterministic per application, i.e. strictly guaranteed, end-to-end, across technologies and across layers. Its success will largely depend on how dynamically it can reuse resources and how cost-effectively it can host mainstream best-effort applications. In this paper, we review the key performance indicators for such an infrastructure while confronting them to thirty use cases reported by the industry. We then examine the requirements for the digital infrastructure. We benchmark them against the capabilities of relevant network technologies, while pointing to meaningful enhancements. We particularly discuss Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), a set of standards extending IEEE 802.1 Ethernet with some deterministic functions, which is considered to be the most promising enabling technology for future industrial networks. We propose to augment its scalability with a novel optical backbone which can interconnect islands of TSN networks while preserving timing.

Emulating Software-Defined Disaggregated Optical Networks in a Containerized Framework

Abstract: Telecom operators’ infrastructure is undergoing high pressure to keep the pace with the traffic demand generated by the societal need of remote communications, bandwidth-hungry applications, and the fulfilment of 5G requirements. Software-defined networking (SDN) entered in scene decoupling the data-plane forwarding actions from the control-plane decisions, hence boosting network programmability and innovation. Optical networks are also capitalizing on SDN benefits jointly with a disaggregation trend that holds the promise of overcoming traditional vendor-locked island limitations. In this work, we present our framework for disaggregated optical networks that leverages on SDN and container-based management for a realistic emulation of deployment scenarios. Our proposal relies on Kubernetes for the containers’ control and management, while employing the NETCONF protocol for the interaction with the light-weight software entities, i.e., agents, which govern the emulated optical devices. Remarkably, our agents’ structure relies on components that offer high versatility for accommodating the wide variety of components and systems in the optical domain. We showcase our proposal with the emulation of an 18-node European topology employing Cassini-compliant optical models, i.e., a state-of-the-art optical transponder proposed in the Telecom Infrastructure Project. The combination of our versatile framework based on containerized entities, the automatic creation of agents and the optical-layer characteristics represents a novel approach suitable for operationally complex carrier-grade transport infrastructure with SDN-based disaggregated optical systems.

Customer Churn Behaviour Predicting Using Social Network Analysis Techniques: A Case Study

Abstract: In the telecommunication industry, the prediction of customer churn behavior is a subject of active research. Features derived from customers' use of telecom infrastructure are often used to predict customer churn behavior. However, the complex networks created by the communication data between the customers and the features to be obtained from these networks can also affect customer churn behavior. Within the scope of this research, features, which are used to predict customer churn behavior by using Social Network Analysis (SNA) techniques on complex networks formed as a result of customer interaction on telecom infrastructures, are proposed. In addition to that, a data analysis workflow method that can predict customer churn behavior is suggested. A prototype application of the proposed method was developed and its success in predicting customer churn behavior was evaluated with experimental studies. In this study, an anonymized data set belonging to a telecom industry firm is used. The results obtained show that the proposed method can make successful predictions and is usable.

A Distributed Artificial Intelligence Framework to Evolve Infrastructure Resilience in Telecommunications Sector

Abstract: Severe natural threats have been increased by climate changes and this originates various high-level threats. This paper discusses the concept of resilience in the context of these problems for telecommunications sector. One of the recent examples that led to a wide power instability was the power cut off. Many telecommunications operators forced actions to limit the spread of natural risks. The paper’s main focus is on two main purposes, the first one is the to propose a mechanism for enhancing resilience in telecom infrastructure, while the second purpose is to quantify the financial value to achieve this resilience. From this point, early definitions of power systems resilience were provided. Then, we examine the main effects of natural disasters on the resilience of the infrastructure in telecommunication sectors, especially the ones related to energy. Eventually, a decentralized plan of action is proposed for a Resilient Management System (RMS) with the aid of demand response resources and distributed storage. The high-precision model which we pro-pose provides telecom operators, regulatory authorities and IT sectors with a clear image for taking defensive measures and making strategic decisions.

Integration of a visible-telecom PPKTP photon pair source with Silicon Integrated Photonics

Abstract: We demonstrate integration of periodically-poled KTiOPO 4 (PPKTP) wave-guides generating visible-telecom wavelength photon pairs with Photonic Integrated Circuits, bridging visibly-accessed quantum technologies and telecom infrastructure. High pair rates, heralding and telecom-filterless operation are demonstrated.

Analysis of crowdsourced data for estimating data speeds across service areas of India

Abstract: The intense adoption of Information Technology by businesses and government have increased data consumption across the world. While some countries have augmented their telecom infrastructure, data speeds are still very low in countries such as India. In this paper, we collected about 25 million records of crowdsourced data obtained through the mobile app deployed by the regulator in India. We have built a panel data regression model and analyzed the effect of supply-side variables such as radio spectrum holding of the operator, the mobile access infrastructure deployed by the operators, the technology deployed (3G/4G), and the demand side variable such as the mobile subscriber base. Our analysis indicates that a lower amount of spectrum holding, poor receive signal strength at mobile handsets, and the technology deployed (3G/4G) negatively affect the users’ download data speeds. The subscriber base also has a moderate effect on the data speeds. We conclude by prescribing policy recommendations on spectrum allocation and improvements in mobile access technologies to augment users’ quality of experience.

Synchronization for Telecom Infrastructure

Abstract: Telcom infrastructure including mobile communications undergone tremendous change over last few decades. These changes are linked and leapfrogged but that is about to change as 5G moves in. However, 5G cannot be realized without adequate attention to network synchronization and careful time error budget estimate for the network. Synchronization also need to be understood from historical perspective as it applies to mobile communications and overall telecom infrastructure with highlights and learning from 2G to 4G. The future of telecom infrastructure is the one that brings power of distributed data center with virtual RAN and network technologies coupling this with virtualization and network intelligence to create dynamic, state aware, on demand and service-oriented network, welcome to the world of “Telcom Cloud.” However, challenges remain on such challenge is sync plane issue. Learning in this chapter will help academic, network, and telecom professionals to better understand technological options and appropriate synchronization need to build future telecom cloud network.

Deployment-ready quantum key distribution over a classical network infrastructure in Padua

Abstract: Current technological progress is driving Quantum Key Distribution towards a commercial and world widescale expansion. Its capability to deliver unconditionally secure communication will be a fundamental feature in the next generations of telecommunication networks. Nevertheless, demonstrations of QKD implementation in a real operating scenario and their coexistence with the classical telecom infrastructure are of fundamental importance for reliable exploitation. Here we present a Quantum Key Distribution application implemented overa classical fiber-based infrastructure. By exploiting just a single fiber cable for both the quantum and the classical channel and by using a simplified receiver scheme with just one single-photon detector, we demonstrate the feasibility of low-cost and ready-to-use Quantum Key Distribution systems compatible with standard classical infrastructure.