Economics of Integrated Sensing and Communication service provision in 6G networks

TL;DR

This paper models the economic tradeoffs in resource allocation for integrated sensing and communication in 6G networks, analyzing pricing, quantities, and regulatory impacts.

Contribution

It introduces an economic framework for SAC resource tradeoffs in 6G, deriving equilibrium conditions and policy recommendations.

Findings

Equilibrium prices and quantities exist for SAC services.

Resource tradeoffs can be optimized for profit and performance.

Regulatory limits influence pricing and resource allocation.

Abstract

In Beyond5G and 6G networks, a common theme is that sensing will play a more significant role than ever before. Over this trend, Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) is focused on unifying the sensing functionalities and the communications ones and to pursue direct tradeoffs between them as well as mutual performance gains. We frame the resource tradeoff between the SAC functionalities within an economic setting. We model a service provision by one operator to the users, the utility of which is derived from both SAC functionalities. The tradeoff between the resources that the operator assigns to the SAC functionalities is analyzed from the point of view of the service prices, quantities and profits. We demonstrate that equilibrium quantities and prices exist. And we provide relevant recommendations for enforcing regulatory limits of both power and bandwidth.