Entering the rural market or not: 5G NHN using network slicing

Description

Neutral Host Network (NHN) allows mobile network operators (MNOs) and other industry verticals to share a common physical infrastructure to serve their end-users. NHN is possible in 5G using network slicing that supports multi-tenancy. This feature of 5G is considered a key enabler to reduce digital divide around the world. In this paper, we analyse the different strategy for the infrastructure provider (InP) and MNOs while deploying rural 5G NHN. This paper provides an analysis of a well-known model using game theory framework for finding out the most reasonable strategy for rural connectivity to maximise the utility of each player. The goal of this study is to understand the output of the game which would determine the best decision. This scheme takes into consideration the different possible options for the MNOs and InP depending on factors such as the number of subscribers, investment years, utility of users, and the expected revenue. The findings shows that investment games help in better understanding on the possible payoffs for different players under various circumstances. Our research also finds that rural 5G NHN is the best possible option for a rural deployment with low subscribers, which is verified by performing a theoretical case study.

Period	10 Nov 2021
Event title	Third IEEE UK&I YP Postgrad STEM Research Symposium
Event type	Other
Degree of Recognition	National