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In this paper, we propose a deployment framework for future indoor small cell networks that will be beneficial for the venue owner/campus, micro-operator (uO), end-users and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). The research is motivated by ongoing struggle to improve indoor coverage, to meet ever increasing capacity demands and to develop 5G access solutions to be ready for future use cases. The framework conceives an indoor small cell deployment for the campus, operated and managed by the uO, which leverages network slicing to provide the campus with local customized service, while at the same time also acting as a neutral host for participating MNOs. The proposed framework will be beneficial in terms of reduced costs, additional revenues, dedicated services, coverage, and spectrum utilization. In the end, the framework is contended to be economically viable and more beneficial than Wi-Fi deployments. The total cost of ownership (TCO) is calculated per access point type and then the TCO for current total capacity is calculated for each option. The analysis shows that although small cells are expensive on a unit basis but the overall network can be cheaper and more beneficial than a Wi-Fi deployment.

Radio spectrum is a scarce natural resource, whose efficient management calls for a thorough understanding of its value. A number of spectrum valuation approaches has emerged considering different elements, some with potentially high uncertainty as future profits, total cost of ownership and societal benefits. Spectrum valuation is important in regulators' 5G spectrum decisions and will face a new situation, where location specific services and higher carrier frequencies give rise to local network operator models. This paper analyses the existing spectrum management and spectrum valuation approaches and identifies key elements to consider, when defining and assessing the value of spectrum especially in the context of future local 5G networks. The growing pressure to open the mobile market for location and vertical specific 5G networks promotes new sharingbased spectrum access models, to allow the emergence of local 5G operators. We characterize the identified spectrum valuation elements in the context of these new local 5G networks from the perspectives of the different stakeholder roles including regulators, mobile network operators (MNOs) and entrant local 5G operators. We further present a spectrum valuation case study of the recent 5G spectrum decisions in the 3.5 GHz band in different countries.

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