Cloud Computing and Telecommunications: Business Opportunities, Technologies and Experimental Setup

Cloud computing is one of the key business and technology trends impacting every aspect of the ICT industry. In this paper we analyze the impact and opportunities of the cloud computing paradigm for the telecom industry, both as users as well as providers of cloud-based solutions. Based on the identified opportunities, we describe the key technological and operational innovations that can help streamline operations and, at the same time, generate new business through differentiating solutions. We also show how these new technologies and operational models can be realized in practice.