The document discusses whether wireless dense networks require a simple rescaling or a change of paradigm. The panelist argues for a change of paradigm. While theoretical network capacity exists, actual capacity is not always available close to users, requiring network densification. However, continually deploying new base stations is not sustainable. The solution proposed is software-defined networking, moving from static, vendor-specific control to dynamic, open, distributed control. This would allow efficient, sustainable deployment of access points through simple hardware, energy-efficient operation, and continuous optimization through complex control.

1. Wireless Dense Networks:
Simple rescaling or change of paradigm?
Jun 6th, 2013 – Madrid, Spain
Panelist: Claudio Cicconetti

2. First things first
I would put my money on:
Change of paradigm

3. Explanation
• Let’s have a look to the past
• OK, not so much in the past…

4. Good ol’ GSM
• Launched in 1991
• Skype 2003
• Gtalk 2005
• Twitter 2006
• Whatsapp 2009

5. UMTS
• Launched on 2001
• iPhone 2007
• Foursquare 2009
• Google latitude 2009
• Instagram 2010

6. So what?
• The bottom line is:
• Telecom industry used to work this way:
1. See what you can do with state-of-the-art
hardware / RF
 technology push (also requires standards)
2. Money invested will eventually come back when
somebody finds how to use the technology

7. BUT what about now?
• Fact #1
– The Internet (= core network) just works
• Fact #2
– Radio access technology is (largely!)
overprovisioned
• IEEE 802.11n: easily 100 Mb/s, can be 300 Mb/s
• HSPA+: up to 84 Mb/s
• LTE: up to 300 Mb/s
• Let’s not even mention LTE-A!

8. SO where is the problem exactly?
• Theoretical capacity is already there
BUT
• Actual capacity is not always where the user
wants it to be (i.e., close to him/her)
HENCE
• NO NEED for a technology push
– the network is already adapting to what the users
want NOW  densification of wireless networks

9. Back to the original question
• We have demands from market/users TODAY
• We have technology supporting those
demands TODAY
• UNFORTUNATELY, we just can’t continue to
deploy new base stations since that would
break the spell  we have a problem TODAY
backhauling constraints, control protocols do
not scale well, growth is not economically
viable, etc.

10. Conclusion
(same as opening slide if you have paid attention)
I would put my money on:
Change of paradigm

11. Any tips on what we could do?
• Goal: deploy lots of access points operating
efficiently in a sustainable manner
– Sustainable = cost-effective
 hardware must be simple
 operation must be energy-efficient
– Efficient operation = continuous optimisation
 control must be complex
• Solution:
– Software Defined Networking!
www.ict-crowd.eu
@FP7CROWD

12. SDN for DenseNets
• From:
– static, vendor-specific, centralised control
• To:
– dynamic, open, distributed control
Local
controller
Regional
controller
Core network
Backhauling

13. Well, life is not THAT easy 
 much research to be done 
More realistic view
of the architecture

14. Contacts
My name: Claudio Cicconetti
My affiliation: INTECS S.p.A.
My email: claudio.cicconetti@intecs.it
My bio: about.me/ccicconetti
My twitter channel: @ccicconetti
My ongoing project: www.ict-crowd.eu
Scan this (if you can)