Real-time resource sharing through service outsourcing

Abstract

Service outsourcing is a mechanism that allows competing operators to share network capacity and provide services to their subscribers for mutual benefit. An operator (custodian) who is experiencing an overshoot in the peak demand for network resources can negotiate an SLA with a competing but federated network (candidate) to provide network access for users of arriving service requests. Two main categories of operators emerge on custodian and candidate sides. Optimistic operators are those who utilise any available opportunity to partake in outsourcing, whereas pessimistic operators would rather avoid outsourcing than risk the financial implications of outsourcing. In this paper we explore the features of service outsourcing and analyse the character of participating operators. Moreover, we present various test scenarios and results involving service outsourcing between two networks. The scenarios explore the profitability of operators who participate in outsourcing when compared to those who don't.