<p>Providing carrier grade characteristics for Internet Protocol (IP) communication applications is a significant problem for IP application providers in order to offer integrated services that span IP&nbsp / and telecommunication networks. This thesis addresses the provision of life-cycle management, which is only one carrier grade characteristic, for a SoftBridge application, which is an example of IP communication applications. A SoftBridge provides semi-synchronous multi-modal IP-based communication. The work related to IP-Telecommunication integrated services and the SoftBridge is analyzed with respect to life-cycle management in a literature review. It is suggested to use an Application Server in a Next Generation Network (NGN) to provide life-cyclemanagement functionality for IP-Telecommunication applications. In this thesis, the Application Server is represented by a JAIN Service Logic Execution Environment(JSLEE), in which&nbsp / a SoftBridge application can be deployed, activated, deactivated, uninstalled and upgraded online.Two methodologies are applied in this research: exploratory prototyping, which evolves the development of a SoftBridge application, and empirical comparison, which is concerned with the empirical evaluation of a SoftBridge application in terms of carriergrade capabilities. A SoftBridge application called SIMBA&nbsp / provides a Deaf Telephony service similar to aprevious Deaf Telephony SoftBridge, However, SIMBA&rsquo / s SoftBridge design and implementation are unique to this thesis. In order to test the life-cycle&nbsp / management ability of SIMBA, an empirical evaluation is carried out including the experiments oflife-cycle management and call-processing performance. The final experimental results of the evaluation show that a JSLEE is able to provide life-cycle management for SIMBA without causing a significant decrease in performance. In conclusion, the life-cycle management can be provided&nbsp / or a SoftBridge application by using an Application Server such as a JSLEE. Futhermore, the results indicate that&nbsp / approach of using Application Server (JSLEE) integration should be&nbsp / sufficiently general to provide life cycle management, and indeed other carrier grade capabilities, for other IP communication applications. This allows IP communication applications to be&nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / integrated into an NGN.</p>

Fiber-deployment of telecommunications networks is currently a great challenge for sector-specific regulators, national governments, as well as for investing operators. One of the most controversial regulatory issues in Europe (and elsewhere) is whether the emerging next generation access (NGA) infrastructure should be subjected to cost-based access regulation or whether at least a temporary removal of ex ante obligations ("regulatory holidays") should be granted. In answering this question we examine the current and foreseeable EU regulatory framework and show that it does not provide positive incentives for NGA deployment and increasing penetration rates. On the basis of an international comparison with the most recent data on NGA deployment and penetration, it appears, in turn, that deregulatory and/or state aid driven approaches targeted at the demand (subscribers) and supply side (coverage) are more promising. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers / Research Institute for Regulatory Economics

Although the future socio-economic benefits of a new fibre-based ("next generation access", NGA) telecommunications infrastructure seem to be uncontroversial, most countries have to date only undertaken NGA investments on a small scale. Accordingly, a universal NGA coverage appears to be a rather unrealistic objective without government intervention. Indeed, many governments have already initiated diverse subsidy programs in order to stimulate NGA infrastructure deployment. We contend, however, that the current contract practice of fixing ex ante targets for network expansion is inefficient given the uncertainty about future returns on NGA infrastructure-based services and the public authorities' incomplete information about the capital costs of the network provider. This paper puts forward to delegate the choice of the network expansion to the NGA provider. Simple linear profit-sharing contracts can be designed to control the NGA provider's incentives and to put in balance the public objectives of network expansion and limitation of public expenditure. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers / Research Institute for Regulatory Economics

In 21st century, the development strategy and the management policy of Information Communication Technology (ICT) is a key issue to a nation¡¦s competitiveness. Particularly, the development of telecommunication liberalization, governance in the telecommunications regime and the relevant science and technology policies of the telecommunication industry is the most important factor for creating a leading knowledge-based economy for Information Communication Technology related industries. Looking forward to the future, the trends and developments of the convergence of telecommunication, broadcasting and internet services will drive the demand for the telecommunication and broadcasting industries to look for cost-efficient provisioning of converged multimedia services. The emerging technology of next generation network (NGN) infrastructure enables the convergence of multi-access networks to deliver the multimedia contents and application services seamlessly. Therefore, the consumers, government, and industry can obtain the benefits because of technology development and industrial cooperation. In addition, the converged broadcasting and telecommunication services as well as Fixed-Mobile Converged applications over the internets results in the needs for the improvement in network interconnectivity and service interoperability. No matter it is telecommunication, broadcasting or information, to converge as common info-communication services, such as telephony, data and multimedia will eventually run over the all IP networks. Therefore, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) becomes one of the promising technologies to drive it happen. However, existing policy and regulations must cope with the changes of this development. The liberalization of broadband and communication market allows the participation of the private companies to create new investment and revenue. This research studies the possible evolution of an IP-based communication infrastructure from today's networks toward a converged next generation network and proposes an Inter-Exchange Center of Converged Network Architecture (IEXCNA), applying to VoIP service. The IEXCNA model shows more efficient in the transmission, interconnectivity and reducing implementation cost of network infrastructure. Thus the consumers are able to enjoy better quality of service and cheaper rate of use for multimedia services.

Fibre deployment of next-generation high-speed broadband networks is considered to be a decisive development for any information-based society, yet investment activities and especially the adoption of fibre-based broadband services take place only very gradually in most countries. This work identifies the most important determinants of the adoption of fibre-based broadband services, using the most recent panel data from the European Union member states (EU27) for the years from 2004 to 2012. The results show that the stricter previous broadband access regulation has a negative impact on adoption, while competitive pressure from mobile networks affects adoption in a non-linear manner. It appears that the approach of strict cost-based access regulation embedded in the EU regulatory framework is at odds with the targets outlined in the European Commission's "Digital Agenda". Finally, we also find strong evidence for network effects underlying the adoption process. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers / Research Institute for Regulatory Economics

<p>Providing carrier grade characteristics for Internet Protocol (IP) communication applications is a significant problem for IP application providers in order to offer integrated services that span IP&nbsp / and telecommunication networks. This thesis addresses the provision of life-cycle management, which is only one carrier grade characteristic, for a SoftBridge application, which is an example of IP communication applications. A SoftBridge provides semi-synchronous multi-modal IP-based communication. The work related to IP-Telecommunication integrated services and the SoftBridge is analyzed with respect to life-cycle management in a literature review. It is suggested to use an Application Server in a Next Generation Network (NGN) to provide life-cyclemanagement functionality for IP-Telecommunication applications. In this thesis, the Application Server is represented by a JAIN Service Logic Execution Environment(JSLEE), in which&nbsp / a SoftBridge application can be deployed, activated, deactivated, uninstalled and upgraded online.Two methodologies are applied in this research: exploratory prototyping, which evolves the development of a SoftBridge application, and empirical comparison, which is concerned with the empirical evaluation of a SoftBridge application in terms of carriergrade capabilities. A SoftBridge application called SIMBA&nbsp / provides a Deaf Telephony service similar to aprevious Deaf Telephony SoftBridge, However, SIMBA&rsquo / s SoftBridge design and implementation are unique to this thesis. In order to test the life-cycle&nbsp / management ability of SIMBA, an empirical evaluation is carried out including the experiments oflife-cycle management and call-processing performance. The final experimental results of the evaluation show that a JSLEE is able to provide life-cycle management for SIMBA without causing a significant decrease in performance. In conclusion, the life-cycle management can be provided&nbsp / or a SoftBridge application by using an Application Server such as a JSLEE. Futhermore, the results indicate that&nbsp / approach of using Application Server (JSLEE) integration should be&nbsp / sufficiently general to provide life cycle management, and indeed other carrier grade capabilities, for other IP communication applications. This allows IP communication applications to be&nbsp / &nbsp / &nbsp / integrated into an NGN.</p>

The telecommunications industry is going through a difficult phase because of profound technological changes, mainly originated by the development of the Internet. They have a major impact on the telecommunications industry as a whole and, consequently, the future deployment of new networks, platforms and services. The evolution of the Internet has a particularly strong impact on telecommunications operators (Telcos). In fact, the telecommunications industry is on the verge of major changes due to many factors, such as the gradual commoditization of connectivity, the dominance of web services companies (Webcos), the growing importance of software based solutions that introduce flexibility (compared to static system of telecom operators). This thesis develops, proposes and compares plausible future scenarios based on future solutions and approaches that will be technologically feasible and viable. Identified scenarios cover a wide range of possibilities: 1) Traditional Telco; 2) Telco as Bit Carrier; 3) Telco as Platform Provider; 4) Telco as Service Provider; 5) Telco Disappearance. For each scenario, a viable platform (from the point of view of telecom operators) is described highlighting the enabled service portfolio and its potential benefits

Although fibre-deployment of next generation access (NGA) broadband networks is considered as a decisive development for any information-based society, investment activities and especially the adoption of fiber-based broadband services take place only very gradually in most countries. This work identifies the most important determinants of NGA broadband adoption, using most recent panel data from the European Union member states (EU27) for the years from 2004 to 2012. The results show that stricter previous broadband access regulation has a negative impact on NGA adoption, while competitive pressure from mobile networks affects NGA adoption in a non-linear manner. It appears that the approach of strict cost-based access regulation embedded in the EU regulatory framework is at odds with the ambitious targets outlined in the European Commission´s "Digital Agenda". Finally, we find strong evidence for network effects underlying the NGA adoption process. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers / Research Institute for Regulatory Economics

Fibre deployment of next-generation high-speed broadband networks is considered to be a decisive development for any information-based society, yet investment activities and especially the adoption of fibre-based broadband services take place only very gradually in most countries. This work identifies the most important determinants of the adoption of fibre-based broadband services, using the most recent panel data from the European Union member states (EU27) for the years from 2004 to 2012. The results show that the stricter previous broadband access regulation has a negative impact on adoption, while competitive pressure from mobile networks affects adoption in a non-linear manner. It appears that the approach of strict cost-based access regulation embedded in the EU regulatory framework is at odds with the targets outlined in the European Commission's "Digital Agenda". Finally, we also find strong evidence for network effects underlying the adoption process. (author's abstract) / Series: Working Papers / Research Institute for Regulatory Economics

Magister Scientiae - MSc / Providing carrier grade characteristics for Internet Protocol (IP) communication applications is a significant problem for IP application providers in order to offer integrated services that span IP and telecommunication networks. This thesis addresses the provision of life-cycle management, which is only one carrier grade characteristic, for a SoftBridge application, which is an example of IP communication applications. A SoftBridge provides semi-synchronous multi-modal IP-based communication. The work related to IP-Telecommunication integrated services and the SoftBridge is analyzed with respect to life-cycle management in a literature review. It is suggested to use an Application Server in a Next Generation Network (NGN) to provide life-cyclemanagement functionality for IP-Telecommunication applications. In this thesis, the Application Server is represented by a JAIN Service Logic Execution Environment(JSLEE), in which a SoftBridge application can be deployed, activated, deactivated, uninstalled and upgraded online.Two methodologies are applied in this research: exploratory prototyping, which evolves the development of a SoftBridge application, and empirical comparison, which is concerned with the empirical evaluation of a SoftBridge application in terms of carriergrade capabilities. A SoftBridge application called SIMBA provides a Deaf Telephony service similar to aprevious Deaf Telephony SoftBridge, However, SIMBA’s SoftBridge design and implementation are unique to this thesis. In order to test the life-cycle management ability of SIMBA, an empirical evaluation is carried out including the experiments oflife-cycle management and call-processing performance. The final experimental results of the evaluation show that a JSLEE is able to provide life-cycle management for SIMBA without causing a significant decrease in performance. In conclusion, the life-cycle management can be provided or a SoftBridge application by using an Application Server such as a JSLEE. Futhermore, the results indicate that approach of using Application Server (JSLEE) integration should be sufficiently general to provide life cycle management, and indeed other carrier grade capabilities, for other IP communication applications. This allows IP communication applications to be integrated into an NGN.Providing carrier grade characteristics for Internet Protocol (IP) communication applications is a significant problem for IP application providers in order to offer integrated services that span IP and telecommunication networks. This thesis addresses the provision of life-cycle management, which is only one carrier grade characteristic, for a SoftBridge application, which is an example of IP communication applications. A SoftBridge provides semi-synchronous multi-modal IP-based communication. The work related to IP-Telecommunication integrated services and the SoftBridge is analyzed with respect to life-cycle management in a literature review. It is suggested to use an Application Server in a Next Generation Network (NGN) to provide life-cyclemanagement functionality for IP-Telecommunication applications. In this thesis, the Application Server is represented by a JAIN Service Logic Execution Environment(JSLEE), in which a SoftBridge application can be deployed, activated, deactivated, uninstalled and upgraded online.Two methodologies are applied in this research: exploratory prototyping, which evolves the development of a SoftBridge application, and empirical comparison, which is concerned with the empirical evaluation of a SoftBridge application in terms of carriergrade capabilities. A SoftBridge application called SIMBA provides a Deaf Telephony service similar to aprevious Deaf Telephony SoftBridge, However, SIMBA’s SoftBridge design and implementation are unique to this thesis. In order to test the life-cycle management ability of SIMBA, an empirical evaluation is carried out including the experiments oflife-cycle management and call-processing performance. The final experimental results of the evaluation show that a JSLEE is able to provide life-cycle management for SIMBA without causing a significant decrease in performance. In conclusion, the life-cycle management can be provided or a SoftBridge application by using an Application Server such as a JSLEE. Futhermore, the results indicate that approach of using Application Server (JSLEE) integration should be sufficiently general to provide life cycle management, and indeed other carrier grade capabilities, for other IP communication applications. This allows IP communication applications to be integrated into an NGN. / South Africa