Wireless Institute Seminar
116 Debartolo Hall
Techno-economic assessment of wireless broadband networks: A research showcase of evolving telecom trends and state-of-the-art methodologies
Dr. Ed Oughton
Assistant Professor
George Mason University
Abstract: This presentation will provide a research showcase covering two key areas. Firstly, evidence will be presented on the current telecoms industry landscape with reference to important wireless broadband technologies and business models (e.g., 5G/6G, Wi-Fi 7/8, non-terrestrial networks, infrastructure sharing etc.). Consideration will be given to how these trends may evolve towards 2030, especially regarding future visions of 6G and Wi-Fi 8, vis-à-vis policy aspirations for universal broadband. Secondly, a series of recent papers will be presented focusing on the techno-economic evaluation of wireless broadband networks. The research approach is driven by the integrated assessment of engineering metrics (capacity, coverage, quality of service, quality of experience etc.), alongside metrics of interest to those responsible for business and policy decisions (total cost of ownership, return on capital invested, energy consumption, lifecycle carbon emissions etc.). This will include appraisal of global universal mobile broadband strategies for the World Bank, as well as development of the Digital Infrastructure Costing Estimator (DICE) for the International Monetary Fund. An overview will be provided of a new techno-economic decision-support capability built for the NASA Space Communication and Navigation program focusing on strategies for commercializing NASA’s Near-Space Network using Low Earth Orbit broadband constellations. The presentation will conclude by briefly publicizing the forthcoming IEEE Communications Magazine Special Issue on the Techno-Economic Analysis of Telecommunication Systems due in November 2024.
Bio: Edward is best known for developing spatial decision-support models of broadband infrastructure, having carried out broadband strategy assessments for countries around the world. This research provides evidence on the effective strategies to connect more people to a faster Internet, which is vital for ensuring sustainable economic development. Edward’s research is highly multi-disciplinary, drawing on engineering and computer science analytical techniques, to answer new questions pertaining to policy, innovation, planning, economics, and sustainable development. Having been awarded over $1.7 million in research funding (PI: $1.05m, Co-PI: $0.22m, Other: 0.43m), Edward has been PI/Co-PI for projects funded by many organizations including the National Science Foundation, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Cisco, Meta (Facebook) Connectivity Lab, Canadian Space Agency, Airbus, Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, HM Treasury’s National Infrastructure Commission, UK Department for Transport and UK Met Office.Edward holds an MPhil and PhD from the University of Cambridge and completed post-doctoral research at the Cambridge Judge Business School Centre for Risk Studies. Prior to GMU he was a Senior Research Associate at the University of Oxford where he retains an Honorary position.