Business model for rural connectivity using multi-tenancy 5G network slicing

Abstract

Rural areas are often neglected while deploying newer mobile technologies. Hence, these place are digitally disconnected from the world. To overcome this challenge, 5G network slicing supporting multi-tenancy, also known as neutral host network, is studied to improve rural connectivity. The infrastructure provider (InP) deploys the rural 5G network and mobile network operators (MNOs) lease the slices from InP to serve their end-users. This aims to study the value network configuration (VNC) for the 5G network slicing architecture to understand the possible business model. As a result, three configurations are defined driven by micro-operator, MNO and community endusers respectively. The business models are constructed using SWOT analysis and business canvas models. The revenue streams for the proposed rural network are analyzed.Index Terms-neutral host network, infrastructure provider, 5G, mobile network operators, network slicing TABLE III BUSINESS CANVAS MODEL FOR 5G NHN

Supportive 5G Infrastructure Policies are Essential for Universal 6G: Assessment Using an Open-Source Techno-Economic Simulation Model Utilizing Remote Sensing

“…These cellular technologies are efficient at moving large quantities of data, thus lowering the delivery cost per bit. However, rural connectivity has generally been an afterthought in cellular standardization, meaning the business case for deployment is often weak [26], [27]. Many 6G papers are focusing mainly on urban scenarios, which would lead this generation into the same issues as 5G [28].…”

Techno-Economic Study of 5G Network Slicing to Improve Rural Connectivity in India

“…One of the network architectures supported by 5G is network slicing which allows multi-tenancy [4]. This means a single network deployed by an infrastructure provider (InP), can be shared by multiple operators and this is known as a neutral host network (NHN) [4]- [6]. Network slicing creates virtual networks to support different applications, and slice tenants such as operators, industry verticals and small-scale businesses, to operate their 5G services easily, quickly and at affordable prices.…”

“…There has been some literature on using 5G NHN to provide internet connectivity in rural and urban settings [4], [6], [13]- [18]. The survey on the evolution paths of NHN, its strategies and business models is presented in [4].…”

“…The research also highlights the use of NHN to revolutionise telecommunication business models, especially rural and in-building connectivity. In [6], a community-industry driven ecosystem for rural 5G NHN for a wide-area network is explored using value network configurations and business models. This research explores the deployments of rural 5G NHN to reduce the digital divide.…”

“…The study on the feasibility of rural 5G NHN in an Indian context employs the proposed techno-economic model for a few Indian villages; Dhanushkodi, Lempia, Bandholi and Muddunoor, located in different parts of the country with unique topography. Unlike in [4], [6], in this paper, we perform the technoeconomic feasibility of 5G NHN in the rural setting. The focus of research in [13] is to understand the policy that is required to support rural connectivity in 6G whereas, our research on rural 5G NHN focuses on transforming the rural connectivity business to technologically and economically feasible in the rural parts, for example in India.…”