Developing a decision model of unlicensed band technology selection for the network operators

Abstract

Currently, network operators attempt to adopt unlicensed band technologies (UBTs) aggressively for the next generation telecommunication services, since they could resolve inefficient spectrum model and provide enhanced wireless services coupling of high quality network performance with mobility for the customers, thus, they give opportunities to expand service areas of network operators. However, they have some difficulties to decide which UBT is the most suitable due to the variability and the complexity of UBTs, even though it is very important to be expected to influence the competitive advantages of the future telecommunication market. Therefore, in this dissertation, we propose decision models for both mobile and fixed line operators considering two factors including as the match of alternatives to the resources and technological attributes of UBTs to help to select appropriate UBTs by using analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. In addition, numerical examples are suggested to show how the decision model could be applied and the decision results between mobile and fixed line operators could be different. We believe this paper gives a basic guide line for both mobile and fixed line operators to decide the best UBTs.