River Publishers: NB!ICT

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NB!ICT

Innovation, Regulation, Business

Editors-in-Chief:
Knud Erik Skouby, Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies (CMI), Aalborg University in Copenhagen, Denmark
Peter Lindgren, Aarhus University, Denmark

ISSN: 1902-097X (Print Version),

ISSN: 1902-0988 (Online Version)
Vol: 2014 Issue: 1

Published In: December 2014

Publication Frequency: Continuous Article Publication

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Interview with Jørgen Abild Andersen, Chairman of Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP) of OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
doi: https://doi.org/10.13052/NBICT.2015.006
Knud Erik Skouby and Anders Henten

Center for Communication, Media and Information technologies, Aalborg University, Denmark

Abstract: [+]    |    Download File [ 132KB ]

Abstract: In the interview, Jørgen Abild Andersen explains how he has been working on changing the agenda of ICCP (now CDEP) in OECD. Formerly, the Committee has worked with issues centered on the development and growth of information and communication technologies (ICTs) without much attention to the use and implications in other sectors of society. This may have been relevant in a period when telecommunications and broadcasting have been liberalized. However, today, more attention needs to be paid to the great societal challenges regarding better lives and economic growth. At the end of the interview, Jørgen Abild Andersen also addresses issues relating to Internet governance. First we would like to ask you about the major challenges today, and in the coming years, for the ICT area and how CDEP approaches and works with these challenges.

Keywords: Interview with Jørgen Abild Andersen, Chairman of Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP) of OECD, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development

Netflix Comes to the Nordics: Lessons in OTT Video
doi: https://doi.org/10.13052/NBICT.2015.005
Roslyn Layton

Center for Communication Media and Information Studies, Aalborg University, Denmark

Abstract: [+]    |    Download File [ 3080KB ]

Abstract: Netflix is the world’s leading provider of subscription-based over the top (OTT) streaming video, television, and movies delivered over the internet to over 30 million subscribers in 40 countries generating USD$2.5 billion in video streaming revenue annually.1 When Netflix launched in the Nordic countries in Q4 2012, the Nordic press called it a major threat to incumbent pay TV provided. They suggested that consumers would give up their current pay TV subscriptions for linear or flow TV and switch to Netflix. A number of stories appeared about Netflix in a tete-a-tete with DSL providers, as the OTT service is growing to account for the majority of traffic on copper networks and the company’s public relations practices.

As we watch the situation unfold in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, we can see that the reality of television is not changing overnight, but that it’s evolving. Netflix and its OTT video competitors such as HBO Nordic have a number of challenges. Established players such as Danish YouSee, Telenor Norway and Sweden’s Viasat and Com Hem are making competitive responses. YouSee has suggested it will offer its cable channels in an a la carte fashion in 2014. Consumers, while intrigued by the growing possibilities, don’t necessarily switch to new services instantly, but free trials are certainly popular. In any case, a number of have complained that Netflix does not meet its expectations for content.

Keywords: Netflix Comes to the Nordics: Lessons in OTT Video

Policy Factors Affecting Broadband Development in Poland
doi: https://doi.org/10.13052/NBICT.2015.004
Anders Henten and IwonaWindekilde

Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies, Aalborg University, Denmark

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Abstract: Poland joined the EU in 2004 and still has one of the Europe’s least developed information societies. Broadband penetration in Poland is still amongst the lowest in the EU and significantly below the EU average.

Considering the present state of information technology, the key challenge for Poland is to reduce the gap between Poland and other EU Member Countries in the area of the development and implementation of information and communication technologies. However, Poland’s accession to the European Union and the implementation of EU regulation mechanisms accelerate the integration of Poland’s telecommunications market with the European market. The market reflects all the global trends, a gradually growing significance of mobile telecommunications services, broadband Internet access, construction of offers directed towards clients’ needs, and a strong trend towards market consolidation, which will gradually change the previous balance of power.

The specific problem of the Polish market is its very poor infrastructure development and the lack of competitors on the fixed market. This translates into limited access to services for end users particularly in the rural areas. A much lower level of telecommunications network development in Poland than other countries in the European Union is the reason that the circumstances and also the effects of the implementation of some solutions of the EU regulation model are different in Poland than in the most developed EU countries.

The aim of the paper is to examine and discuss broadband access development in Poland and the policy factors influencing this development as well as to examine national strategies used to stimulate service and infrastructure competition in Poland. There are, indeed, many other factors affecting broadband development such as the income level/distribution in the country and the infrastructural point of departure. The paper, therefore, analyses the implications of the policy initiatives in light of these basic conditions and the broader context of factors influencing broadband development.

In the paper, different kinds of policy initiatives are examined – with the ‘lightest’forms of intervention first and the ‘strongest’at the end. Furthermore, empirical evidence on the developments in access technologies and the policy initiatives taken by the Polish government are presented. Finally, there is a conclusion regarding the importance of the different types of public policy initiatives for broadband take-up in Poland.

Keywords: Policy Factors Affecting Broadband Development in Poland

Next Generation Public Safety and Emergency Technologies
doi: https://doi.org/10.13052/NBICT.2015.003
Camilla Bonde, Reza Tadayoni and Knud Erik Skouby

Center for Communication, Media and Information Technologies (CMI) Aalborg University Copenhagen, Denmark

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Abstract: The paper researches the existing European standards for Public Safety and Emergency (PSE) services (also called Public Protection Disaster Relief “PPDR”)1, and identifies based on user studies in Denmark conflicts between the current deployments of the standards and the user requirements. The aim is further to identify the potentials of new technologies for PSE. The paper deals with policy and technology frameworks, regulatory issues and in particular the spectrum issues in the current PPDR deployments in the EU countries. The paper draws on the results and concepts developed in two EU-projects.2 Experience from research projects are used to discuss new possible solutions to the problems. We look at the development in other majormarkets and draw on developments on the Japanese and the US markets, when it comes to the deployment of LTE³.

Keywords: Mobile standards for PSE/PPDR, TETRA, LTE, spectrum management, deployment of standards, path dependence, lock-in and irreversibility in the decision-making process.

Designing the Future Emergency Service Vehicle: Needs, Approach, Benefits and Competition
doi: https://doi.org/10.13052/NBICT.2015.002
Jyri Rajamäki

Laurea SID Leppävaara, Laurea University of Applied Sciences Espoo, Finland

Abstract: [+]    |    Download File [ 767KB ]

Abstract: Public protection and disaster relief (PPDR) responders must manage on different emergency situations in land, water and air. Emergency response vehicles (ERVs) are specially equipped and on permanent standby for serious incident response. Modern ERVs are fully of electrical, electronic and ICT systems. However, there are possibilities of improvement in various aspects of ERVs. That will enhance performance, effectiveness and optimum usage of resources. The Finnish MOBI (Mobile Object Bus Interaction) research and development project aims to create a common international ICT infrastructure for all ERVs, based on better integration of ICT systems, applications and services. Another aim is to extend this project to other ERVs in European countries, permitting the standardisation of tools and technology in EU countries. One model that gives a practical and structured framework for innovation work is the NABC approach created by the Stanford Research Institute (SRI). NABC highlights the market needs, solution approach, solution benefits and competition dimensions of any solution being created. Our approach is to divide ERVs’ ICT systems into four layers (a vehicle infrastructure and power management layer, a communications layer, a service platform and common services layer, and an actor-specific services layer) between which have standardised interfaces. The benefit is that open standards ease especially small and medium enterprises coming to the business, which improves on supply of new PPDR ICT products and degreases their prizes. In addition to cost savings, interoperability and availability of new PPDR ICT services improves. Traditionally good cooperation between different authorities in Finland enables development for the whole PPDR sector at the same time. This paper applies NABC framework for evaluating the on-going MOBI project and its results so far, and ensuring that the project continues as a right direction.

Valuation of Mobile Broadband PSE Network for Society
doi: https://doi.org/10.13052/NBICT.2015.001
Matti Peltola¹ and Olli Martikainen²

¹ Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering, Finland
² The Research Institute of the Finnish Economy, Finland

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Abstract: We calculate the added value for society of Public Safety and Emergency (PSE) agencies when they have a dedicated mobile wideband/broadband network to complement the offering of the existing PSE mobile networks. The principles of benefit valuation are demonstrated. The basic PSE operational processes are divided into operations. The operations of an organization can be modelled and the sub-tasks of operations utilizing improved communication tools and applications can be redefined. The modelling and the definition of the costs of every operation can be done using the System Dynamic analysis and Three Viewpoint Model analysis (Martikainen and Halonen, 2011) tools. After that the costs of the new mobile network service are estimated; the alternatives analysed include the dedicated TEDS (TETRA Enhanced Data System) and LTE (Long Term Evolution) networks.

The proposed approach gives answers to the three following questions: (1) is there any benefit in building a new high speed mobile data network for PSE agencies; (2) what is the Net Present Value (NPV) of the business case including the costs of the new PSE wideband/broadband mobile network and what are the social benefits that the new network makes possible, and; (3) how can the benefits of mobile broadband/wideband communication be correlated to population density in order to create additional value for society.

Keywords: TETRA, TEDS, PSE mobile networks, social benefits.

River Publishers: NB!ICT