Communication networks: Fixed and mobile networks & Wireless Ad-hoc Networks. Rapid growth in supply and demand of different communication services Further increase of society’s dependency on communication networks.
Currently: The level of self-organization in Ad-hoc and sensor networks is already quite high.
In mobile networks only very first formed self-organization is present, for example in LTE. In fixed data networks some functionalitie (e.g. routing) can be considered to be self-organizing.
2020: Mobile networks, in particular LTE, are fully self-organizing. The concept of Cognitive Radio in heterogeneous wireless and mobile networks is fully exploited: the systems selects the communication technology that fits best the usage at that moment.
Fixed data networks are largely self-managed.
1 step further: In the ideal case, the operator needs to feed the self-organizing network only with a set of policy aspects.
Currently: In mobile networks some self-learning algorithms are already developed for different functionalities (e.g. handover optimization). The level of self-learningnessis limited. , mostly, based on a priori chosen space of possible environmental and network changes.
2020: Level of self-organization is increased for a large number of functionalities. Interaction between the self-organizing functionalities is captured. Translation of the operator into different sub-goals. In the ideal case, the system itself translates the operator policies into different sub goals for the various self-organizing functionalities.
1 step further: In the ideal situation, the system adapts to the need and desires of the users (in terms of service quality, communication speed,..). This requires an enhanced form of self-learning by interpreting the human desires and human experience. This is a big challenge.
Actors: Network operators, Network vendors (manufactures), government (policy, regulation), Consultancy companies, universities and other research institutes.
2020: The traditional role of the operator will be superfluous. Like the energy and railway infrastructure, the communication infrastructure will be controlled by the government.
: Communication Networks Ad-hoc NetworksSystem-name