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Network Providers (network + provider)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Business, Economics, Finance and Accounting	50%
Information Science and Computing	33%

Selected Abstracts

An efficient architecture for Bandwidth Brokers in DiffServ networks

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NETWORK MANAGEMENT, Issue 1 2008
Ch. Bouras
In this article we examine the architecture of an entity used for automatic management and provisioning of resources for DiffServ networks. We examine the existing literature and implementations in this area, focusing on the design choices made, and we propose an architecture for the design of Bandwidth Brokers that combines an adaptive admission control algorithm for increased utilization of network resources and a mechanism for reducing the complexity overhead that intends to be both simple and effective. Specifically, we present a novel architecture for the admission control module that aims at achieving a satisfactory balance between maximizing the resource utilization for the network provider and minimizing the overhead of the module. We complement our theoretical discussion with extensive experimental simulations for the proposed Bandwidth Broker components and analysis of the results. The simulations study the possible configurations of the proposed algorithm and also compare it with alternative admission control policies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]

Vertical Networks, Integration, and Connectivity

JOURNAL OF ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT STRATEGY, Issue 2 2009
Pinar Do
This paper studies competition in a network industry with a stylized two layered network structure, and examines: (i) price and connectivity incentives of the upstream networks, and (ii) incentives for vertical integration between an upstream network provider and a downstream firm. The main result of this paper is that vertical integration occurs only if the initial installed-base difference between the upstream networks is sufficiently small, and in that case, industry is configured with two vertically integrated networks, which yields highest incentives to invest in quality of interconnection. When the installed-base difference is sufficiently large, there is no integration in the industry, and neither of the firms have an incentive to invest in quality of interconnection. An industry configuration in which only the large network integrates and excludes (or raises cost of) its downstream rival does not appear as an equilibrium outcome: in the presence of a large asymmetry between the networks, when quality of interconnection is a strategic variable, the large network can exercise a substantial market power without vertical integration. Therefore, a vertically separated industry structure does not necessarily yield procompetitive outcomes. [source]

Language and Regional Differences in Evaluations of Medicare Managed Care by Hispanics

HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008
Robert Weech-Maldonado
Objectives. This study uses the Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) survey to examine the experiences of Hispanics enrolled in Medicare managed care. Evaluations of care are examined in relationship to primary language (English or Spanish) and region of the country. Data Sources. CAHPS 3.0 Medicare managed care survey data collected in 2002. Study Design. The dependent variables consist of five CAHPS multi-item scales measuring timeliness of care, provider communication, office staff helpfulness, getting needed care, and health plan customer service. The main independent variables are Hispanic primary language (English or Spanish) and region (California, Florida, New York/New Jersey, and other states). Ordinary least squares regression is used to model the effect of Hispanic primary language and region on CAHPS scales, controlling for age, gender, education, and self-rated health. Data Collection/Extraction Methods. The analytic sample consists of 125,369 respondents (82 percent response rate) enrolled in 181 Medicare managed care plans across the U.S. Of the 125,369 respondents, 8,463 (7 percent) were self-identified as Hispanic. The survey was made available in English and Spanish, and 1,353 Hispanics completed one in Spanish. Principal Findings. Hispanic English speakers had less favorable reports of care than whites for all dimensions of care except provider communication. Hispanic Spanish speakers reported more negative experiences than whites with timeliness of care, provider communication, and office staff helpfulness, but better reports of care for getting needed care. Spanish speakers in all regions except Florida had less favorable scores than English-speaking Hispanics for provider communication and office staff helpfulness, but more positive assessments for getting needed care. There were greater regional variations in CAHPS scores among Hispanic Spanish speakers than among Hispanic English speakers. Spanish speakers in Florida had more positive experiences than Spanish speakers in other regions for most dimensions of care. Conclusions. Hispanics in Medicare managed care face barriers to care; however, their experiences with care vary by language and region. Spanish speakers (except FL) have less favorable experiences with provider communication and office staff helpfulness than their English-speaking counterparts, suggesting language barriers in the clinical encounter. On the other hand, Spanish speakers reported more favorable experiences than their English-speaking counterparts with the managed care aspects of their care (getting needed care and plan customer service). Medicare managed care plans need to address the observed disparities in patient experiences among Hispanics as part of their quality improvement efforts. Plans can work with their network providers to address issues related to timeliness of care and office staff helpfulness. In addition, plans can provide incentives for language services, which have the potential to improve communication with providers and staff among Spanish speakers. Finally, health plans can reduce the access barriers faced by Hispanics, especially among English speakers. [source]

Optimization of Network Topologies for Service Providers in the Telecommunications Market

INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2001
Dieter B. Pressmar
Following the deregulation of communications services, a growing number of commercial providers are offering global voice and data communications services via rented infrastructures. These service providers are faced with the challenge to determine cost-effective network-topologies, considering both the variety of contractual arrangements with national and international network providers, and the communication profiles of their customers. This paper introduces a planning model for solving the optimization problem outlined above. The model is evaluated on the basis of mixed-integer optimization. Practical deployment of this approach is discussed with respect to the run-time characteristics of the MIP solvers. Subsequently, a genetic algorithm is applied to the model and the results are compared to those of the mixed-integer optimization. [source]

Seamless mobility across IMS and legacy circuit networks

BELL LABS TECHNICAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2006
Maria R. G. Azada
The growing desire of network providers to introduce support for voice over IP (VoIP) has created interesting challenges in the area of interoperability with existing wireless circuit networks. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) standards have defined the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) as the platform for convergence. By definition, IMS is access agnostic; it provides services and features through a common core network, regardless of the means of transport. However, the IMS standards are just beginning to address the challenges associated with interworking with existing cellular circuit networks. Achieving seamless mobility involves supporting both roaming and handoff between networks. This paper discusses the issues involved in providing seamless mobility for subscribers across the packet and circuit domains and proposes network-based solutions. © 2006 Lucent Technologies Inc. [source]

NETWORK EXTERNALITIES AND COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE

BULLETIN OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, Issue 4 2007
Toru Kikuchi
D43; F12; L13 ABSTRACT In this article, I examine how the network externalities of communications activities and trading opportunities interact to determine the structure of comparative advantage. These interactions are examined by constructing a two-country, three-sector model of trade involving a country-specific communications network sector. The role of the connectivity of network providers, which allows users of a network to communicate with users of another network, is also explored. [source]