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Identifies national information infrastructure (NII) issues and concerns to Committee on Communications and Information Policy (CCIP) to indicate how they relate to the global information infrastructure (GII). National information infrastructure/next-generation Internet (NGI) issues and the GII.

We propose the TelcoFog architecture as a novel, secure, highly distributed, and ultra-dense fog computing infrastructure, which can be allocated at the extreme edge of a wired/wireless network for a telecom operator to provide multiple unified, cost-effective, and new 5G services, such as NFV, MEC, and services for third parties (e.g., smart cities, vertical industries, and IoT). The distributed and programmable fog technologies that are proposed in TelcoFog are expected to strengthen the position of the mobile network and cloud markets. TelcoFog, by design, is capable of integrating an ecosystem for network operators willing to provide NFV, MEC, and IoT services. TelcoFog's key benefits are the dynamic deployment of new distributed low-latency services. The novel TelcoFog architecture consists of three main building blocks: a scalable TelcoFog node, which is seamlessly integrated in the telecom infrastructure; a TelcoFog controller, focused on service assurance and based on service data modeling using YANG, which is integrated in the management and orchestration architecture of the telecom operator; and TelcoFog services, which are able to run on top of the TelcoFog and telecom infrastructure. The TelcoFog architecture is validated through a proof of concept for IoT services. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Technologies and solutions for mobile networks continuously evolve with new features bringing important improvements in terms of e.g., performance, coverage, and operational efficiency. At the same time, they may imply new challenges, some of them are addressed by the articles selected for this issue of the Mobile Communications and Networks series, including: the coexistence between a cell-free system with the existing cellular system; the increased signaling delay for the control plane procedures when satellites are integrated in radio access networks; how to guarantee transparency, monitorability and accountability in case of resource and infrastructure sharing; and information security in the context of integrated sensing and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the 10th International Conference on Telecommunications (ConTEL) held at the Sheraton Zagreb Hotel in Zagreb, Croatia on June 8-10, 2009. Topics include the next generation networks, protocols and services, communications software and services, and information infrastructure. The conference features several notable speakers including Toyoaki Nishida, Marie-José Montpetit, and Luiz Moutinho.

The article discusses the role of connection-oriented networking for grid applications and the issues of optical burst switching in consumer grid network. Grid applications enables the researchers rely on the sharing capability of large compute platforms and data storage. On the other hand, scientific applications requires high bandwidth connectivity to support leadership class supercomputers as well as highly dynamic operation. The unique and challenging demands on the network infrastructure of grid applications were described.

V2X communication in the mmWave band is one way to achieve high data rates for applications like infotainment, cooperative perception, augmented reality assisted driving, and so on. MmWave communication relies on large antenna arrays, and configuring these arrays poses high training overhead. In this article, we motivate the use of infrastructure mounted sensors (which will be part of future smart cities) to aid establishing and maintaining mmWave vehicular communication links. We provide numerical and measurement results to demonstrate that information from these infrastructure sensors reduces the mmWave array configuration overhead. Finally, we outline future research directions to help materialize the use of infrastructure sensors for mmWave communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article profiles Mehmet Ulema, candidate for member-at-large of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers Inc. (IEEE) Communications Society (ComSoc). Ulema teaches at Manhattan College in New York and has held technical and management positions in Bellcore, Daewoo, Hazeltine and Bell Labs. He used to be the chair of the Information Infrastructure and Radio Communications Technical Committees. He has also served on various ComSoc committees such as the GITC, Meeting & Conferences Board, and On-Line Content Board. Among his position statements notes that he aims to maximize the value of services to the members of ComSoc.

Recently, IEEE 802.11ax, introducing the fundamental improvement of WLANs, was approved as the next generation WLAN technology. Satisfying tremendous user demands for user experience, IEEE 802.11ax will fuel the future intelligent information infrastructure to serve big data transportation and diverse smart application scenarios. In this article, we overview the key technology features of IEEE 802.11ax such as OFDMA PHY, UL MU-MIMO, spatial reuse, OFDMA random access, power saving with TWT, and STA-2-STA operation, and explain translating these features to enhance user experience, highlighting the design principles to facilitate smart environments and identifying new technological opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Internet of Things promises ubiquitous connectivity of everything everywhere, which represents the biggest technology trend in the years to come. It is expected that by 2020 over 25 billion devices will be connected to cellular networks; far beyond the number of devices in current wireless networks. Machine-to-machine communications aims to provide the communication infrastructure for enabling IoT by facilitating the billions of multi-role devices to communicate with each other and with the underlying data transport infrastructure without, or with little, human intervention. Providing this infrastructure will require a dramatic shift from the current protocols mostly designed for human-to-human applications. This article reviews recent 3GPP solutions for enabling massive cellular IoT and investigates the random access strategies for M2M communications, which shows that cellular networks must evolve to handle the new ways in which devices will connect and communicate with the system. A massive non-orthogonal multiple access technique is then presented as a promising solution to support a massive number of IoT devices in cellular networks, where we also identify its practical challenges and future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

5G networks will support very diverse and challenging requirements. Network slicing offers an effective way to unlock the full potential of 5G networks and meet those requirements using a common network infrastructure. This article presents a cloud-native approach to network slicing that advances a fundamental rethinking of the mobile network to shift its architectural vision from a network of entities to a network of capabilities, and its driving purpose from a network for connectivity to a network for services. The approach covers the entire life cycle of network slices, encompassing their design, creation, deployment, customization, and optimization. We provide an overview of our cloud-native approach to network slicing and describe a proof-of-concept implementation that demonstrates its key principles. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A cloud radio access network deployed on top of edge networks as a software-defined radio access network architecture has been regarded as a promising paradigm for the next generation mobile networks, but it has not received considerable attention in the vehicular industry due to distinct design needs. For mobile networks, infrastructures provide powerful computation capability for universal radio resource optimization, and therefore an inherent "cloud-down" design is favorable. On the contrary, to deploy vehicular technologies, sophisticated processing capability has been a baseline feature for the next generation driving machines, which may not solely rely on wireless infrastructures to guarantee driving safety, so an "edge-up" design is preferred. Consequently, this article surveys the recent works on software-defined vehicular networks and proposes a series of edge-up software-defined networking designs, particularly emphasizing the most crucial function of latency control to support possible wireless applications for the next generation driving machines. The proposed designs thus create a paradigm shift to enable software-defined mobileedge vehicular networking. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Supporting real-time and mobile data services, fog computing has been considered as a promising technology to overcome long and unpredicted delay in cloud computing. However, as resources in FNs are owned by independent users or infrastructure providers, the ADSSs cannot connect and access data services from the FNs directly, but can only request data service from the DSOs in the cloud. Accordingly, in fog computing, the DSOs are required to communicate with FNs and allocate resources from the FNs to the ADSSs. The DSOs provide virtualized data services to the ADSSs, and the FNs, motivated by the DSOs, provide data services in the physical network. Nevertheless, with fog computing added as the intermediate layer between the cloud and users, there are challenges such as the resource allocation in the virtualized network between the DSOs and ADSSs, the asymmetric information problem between DSOs and ADSSs, and the resource matching from the FNs to the ADSSs in the physical network. In this article, we propose a three-layer hierarchical game framework to solve the challenges in fog computing networks. In the proposed framework, we apply the Stackelberg sub-game for the interaction between DSOs and ADSSs, moral hazard modeling for the interaction between DSOs and FNs, and the student project allocation matching sub-game for the interaction between FNs and ADSSs. The purpose is to obtain stable and optimal utilities for each DSO, FN, and ADSS in a distributed fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The various types of communication technologies and mobility features in IoT on one hand enable fruitful and attractive applications, but on the other hand facilitate malware propagation, thereby raising new challenges in handling IoT-empowered malware for cyber security. Compared to the malware propagation control scheme in traditional wireless networks, where nodes can be directly repaired and secured, in IoT, compromised end devices are difficult to patch. Alternatively, blocking malware via patching intermediate nodes turns out to be a more feasible and practical solution. Specifically, patching intermediate nodes can effectively prevent the proliferation of malware propagation by securing infrastructure links and limiting malware propagation to local device-to-device dissemination. This article proposes a novel traffic-aware patching scheme to select important intermediate nodes to patch, which applies to the IoT system with limited patching resources and response time constraint. Experiments on real-world trace datasets in IoT networks are conducted to demonstrate the advantage of the proposed traffic-aware patching scheme in alleviating malware propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Discusses the significance of the global information infrastructure (GII). Various aspects that should be taken into account to realize GII; Details on a study about GII; Issues that are indispensable for realizing GII.

As optical networks proliferate, there is a growing need to address distributed multi-domain provisioning. Although multi-domain operation has been well-studied in packet/cell-switching networks, the multilayer (granularity) circuit-switched nature of modern optical net works presents a unique set of challenges. This survey addresses control plane design for such heterogeneous infrastructures and describes new challenges in the areas of state dissemination, path computation, and survivability. Sample results from a recent study also are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coexistence of multiple access technologies deployed by different operators is fundamental for future fourth-generation mobile networks. In spite of this heterogeneity, seamless interoperator/intersystem mobility is a mandatory requirement. In this article we present a seamless mobility management approach that does not require changes to existing network infrastructure. The novelty of the proposed approach is that mobility management is fully controlled by the terminal, and network selection is user-centric, power-saving, cost-aware, and performance-aware. Total mobility management, including interface management, handover decision, and execution, is also detailed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is now evident to the research community that local computational resources cannot keep up in an economical way with the demands generated by some users/applications. Therefore, distributed computing and the concept of a computational grid are now emerging. Novel transport network concepts are needed to support such visions, and high-speed intelligent optical networking may be the required infrastructure that will enable global grids. Emerging utility grid applications like business continuity and disaster recovery have strong requirements on the dynamic optical networks connecting the distributed grid resources. Supporting grid networking with an intelligent optical network (ION) infrastructure will allow utility grid applications the necessary flexibility with the required QoS (e.g., high bandwidth, reliability, limited delay). Emerging QoS requirements, such as scalable recovery time, highly depend on the ION's signaling architecture. This article gives simple analytical models for the implementation options of optical control plane signaling, shows simulation models for different resilience strategies, and offers some illustrative numerical comparisons to support the aforementioned efforts. This research area is also discussed, among others, in the European research project Multi-Partner European Testbeds for Research Networking (MUPBED). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the massive efforts in researching and developing mobile ad hoc networks in the last decade, this type of network has not yet witnessed mass market deployment. The low commercial penetration of products based on ad hoc networking technology could be explained by noting that the ongoing research is mainly focused on implementing military or specialized civilian applications. On the other hand, users are interested in general-purpose applications where high bandwidth and open access to the Internet are consolidated and cheap commodities. To turn mobile ad hoc networks into a commodity, we should move to more pragmatic, "opportunistic ad hoc networking" in which multihop ad hoc networks are not isolated self-con- figured networks, but rather emerge as a flexible and low-cost extension of wired infrastructure networks coexisting with them. Indeed, a new class of networks is emerging from this view: mesh networks. This article provides an overview of mesh networking technology. In particular, starting from commercial case studies we describe the core building blocks and distinct features on which wireless mesh networks should be based. We provide a survey of the current state of the art in off-the-shelf and proprietary solutions to build wireless mesh networks. Finally, we address the challenges of designing a high- performance, scalable, and cost-effective wireless mesh network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining networks to form a composite network for joint operations in the current business context is desirable in order to limit capital and operational expenditures, but currently requires complying with existing value chains and business models. However, commonalities between the two most popular infrastructures, mobile cellular and TV broadcast, are such that a common framework for services and QoS management can be built, without the expense of starting from scratch in the design of a universal system able to connect users for communications and entertainment. This article describes such a framework that can potentially ally mobile cellular and TV broadcast platforms as one stepping stone toward 40 and the Information Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Forum and its successful efforts to bring the data, private and public networking cultures together for world-class solutions. Industry cooperation; Goals and achievements toward global information infrastructure; Developments on public wide area networks (WAN).

Features the Globe, an object-based wide-area distributed system aimed at supporting a billion users of mobile objects. Expectation for million of users to have access to a global Information Superhighway; Basic architecture of the Globe naming service; Requirements for a location service to develop a naming services.

Reports that the information infrastructures and multimedia communications are necessary prerequisites for the information society. Important office, home and mobile applications; Benefits and economics of multimedia communications; Requirements on networks services and terminals of multimedia communications; Telecommunication evolution toward asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) infrastructures.

Outlines some major factors to be considered in deriving a viable paradigm for broadband information highway. Characterization of the three main precursors of the information highway; Brief overview of progress in the local distribution segment of networks; Overview of the concept of the broadband information highway; Conclusions.

The article presents a calendar of events for international activities of the communication industries for the year 2006. The "2nd International Conference on Testbeds and Research Infrastructures for the Development of Networks and Communities" will be held on March 1-3 in Barcelona, Spain. On March 27-28, the "1st Wireless Euro-Mediterranean International Conference" will be held in Amman, Jordan. A conference on "Next-Generation Internet Traffic Engineering" will be held on April 3-5 in Valencia, Spain. The "4th International Conference on Wired/Wireless Internet Communications" will be held on May 9-12 in Bern, Switzerland. The "Asia-Pacific Optical Communications Conference," will be held on September 3-7 in Gwangju, Korea.

The article focuses on the Croatian Communications and Information Society's (CCIS) membership with the ComSoc's Sister Society (SS) family in Croatia. It notes that the collaboration agreement was signed by ComSoc president Celia Desmond and CCIS president Nikola Rozic at GLOBECOM 2002 in Taipei, Taiwan. It relates that the new ComSoc SSs Web site http://www.comsoc.org/sistersocieties/, which was initiated by SSs director Roberto Saracco in cooperation with SS Board members, is the most important part about the collaboration between CCIS and ComSoc. Moreover, it states that the Web site has been enriched by information including the evolution of the telecommunication infrastructure and its relations with local industry and telecommunication operators.

A calendar of events related to electrical and electronics engineering in 2007 is presented. The international symposium on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE) will be held on April 18-20 in Dublin, Ireland. The 6th Conference on Telecommunication Techno-Economics will be held on June 14-15. First International Global Information Infrastructure Symposium: Closing the Digital Divide will be held on July 2-6 in Marrakech, Morocco.

Introduces a series of articles concerning standardization activities on the Global Information Infrastructure (GII) by the International Telecommunication Union Standardization Sector (TUB-T).

A calendar of events for the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Inc. for April to July 2009 is presented including the IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC) on April 5-8 in Budapest, Hungary, the 17th International Packet Video Workshop on May 11-12 in Seattle, Washington, and the Global Information Infrastructure Symposium on June 23-25 in Hammamet, Tennessee.