Multi-Network Access in 5G: Economies of Scale, Without the Scale

Under 5G, network slicing will provide technical interfaces for the leasing of network capacity. This will facilitate multi-network access (MNA), a new scheme that allows a mobile device to use any one of multiple mobile network operators (MNOs) anywhere, anytime, instead of remaining on a single MNO whenever possible. This paper presents a comprehensive techno-economic assessment of MNA. MNA can reduce the spectrum and/or infrastructure resources needed to achieve a given system capacity by over 20%. MNA can be combined with colocation to provide even greater cost efficiency. This paper examines the effect of network selection algorithms on cost efficiency in a wide variety of circumstances. It explores MNOs’ incentives and disincentives to adopt MNA, and finds that incentives depend on how traffic volume is distributed among partner MNOs. The paper demonstrates unbalanced resources among MNOs can lead to differences in quality of service, and the implications. It shows the form of wholesale pricing structure that would benefit all stakeholders, and thus promote adoption. It also discusses the economic viability of a multi-network access provider.