Substitutability of Spectrum and Cloud-based Antennas in Virtualised Wireless Networks

TL;DR

This paper explores how spectrum and cloud-based antennas can be substituted or combined in virtualized wireless networks, analyzing their interplay through auction mechanisms and revealing impacts on resource allocation and provider interests.

Contribution

It introduces a novel analysis of the substitutability between spectrum and cloud-based antennas in virtualized wireless networks using auction-based resource allocation.

Findings

Spectrum and antennas are partially substitutable, affecting allocation outcomes.

Resource complementarity influences auction efficiency and provider strategies.

Divergent interests may arise between spectrum and infrastructure providers.

Abstract

Some of the new trends emerging in future wireless networks enable a vastly increased fluidity in accessing a wide range of resources, thus supporting flexible network composition and dynamic allocation of resources to virtual network operators (VNOs). In this work we study a new resource allocation opportunity that is enabled by the cloud radio access network architecture. In particular, we investigate the relationship between the cloud-based antennas and spectrum as two important resources in virtualized wireless networks. We analyze the interplay between spectrum and antennas in the context of an auction-based allocation mechanism through which VNOs can bid for a combination of the two types of resources. Our analysis shows that the complementarity and partial substitutability of the two resources significantly impact the results of the allocation of those resources and uncovers the possibility of divergent interests between the spectrum and the infrastructure providers.