Wireless LANs: From WarChalking to Open Access Networks

ABSTRACT This work dis usses the evolution of W-LANs from their urrent status of wireless termination of LAN servi es to a possible global infrastru ture where the a ess networks be ome open to multiple operators and a vehi le of a winwin s enario, where both users and operators bene t from the new network ar hite ture. The idea of Open A ess Networks (OANs) an go beyond wireless HotSpots and be generalized to a generi shared a ess infrastru ture that fosters servi e operators ompetition and drasti ally redu es the ost of last mile overage. The general on ept of Open A ess Networks is detailed, highlighting its di eren e with the more traditional model of verti al integration of the a ess network into the global servi e. About the OANs development, it is shown how to support the qui k and smooth evolution of the infrastru ture toward a widespread and reliable ommuni ation support. Business models are dis ussed by mentioning the di erent a tors, the market organization and the di erent organization forms. The nal part of the paper is devoted to te hni al hallenges su h as a ess ontrol, se urity, priva y, roaming, resour e exploitation and servi e di erentiation. As an example of how to ta kle these problems, we dis uss a pri ing te hnique devoted to resour e management and billing support. In addition we present a simulation on how the OAN onept an speed-up the deployment of broadband a ess in a real ase. In Sweden, the work on Open.net was supported 2000-2003 by an industrial onsortium led by SveBo, Stokab and the City of Sto kholm. The pilot networks in SwedenOpen.net are built with the support of students in ourse proje ts. In Italy, the WILMA proje t is supported by the Provin e of Trento under Grant N. 437, issued on Mar h 3, 2002. A preliminary version of this paper with the title \Global Growth of Open A ess Networks: from WarChalking and Conne tion Sharing to Sustainable Business" was presented at WMASH 2003.