Cognitive Radio: Business Impacts of Dynamic Spectrum Access and Spectrum Sharing

Abstract:
Regulation of spectrum may undergo revolutionary changes in the near future allowing a less restricted and more flexible access to radio spectrum. Intelligent mobile radios, or so-called cognitive radios, will realize the dynamic usage of frequency bands on an opportunistic basis, by identifying and using under-utilized spectrum. Such a flexible spectrum usage requires changes in regulation towards a more open spectrum. Policies which determine when spectrum at which location is considered as spectrum opportunity and which define the possibilities of using these spectrum opportunities are needed, especially in the context of mobility. This paper introduces different approaches towards cognitive radios enabling dynamic spectrum access and spectrum sharing. Business impacts of cognitive radio techniques in the context of a liberalized spectrum regulation framework are discussed. The economic potential and impacts on consumers and operators resulting from dynamic spectrum access and spectrum sharing are highlighted.