Cellular networks have traditionally been operated exclusively by a small number of national-scale mobile network operators (MNOs) like Verizon, AT&T etc., using a wide-area licensed spectrum and deploying expensive edge elements like base stations or leased towers while running specialized software. The economics make it extremely difficult for large operators to increase cellular network coverage in rural areas leaving more than a billion people worldwide without Internet access. To address this challenge, smaller organizations are beginning turn to unlicensed spectrum, neutral host architectures, private LTE/5G, or community cellular networks (CCNs) for low cost connectivity in local areas. With smaller community run telecom operators, it becomes important to efficiently interoperate between them. This talk looks at decentralizing telecoms to improve connectivity for the next billion.
Sudheesh is a PhD student at the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington working at the intersection of Systems/Networks and ICTD advised by Prof. Kurtis Heimerl and Prof. Richard Anderson. Sudheesh's work is focused on Internet security... Read More →
