BarterRoam: A Novel Mobile and Wireless Roaming Settlement Model

Abstract

This paper describes BarterRoam: a new novel mobile and wireless roaming settlement model and clearance methodology, based on the concept of sharing and bartering excess capacities for usage in Visiting Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP) coverage areas with Home WISP. The methodology is not limited to WISPs; it is applicable to virtual WISPs and any Value-Added Services in the mobile and wireless access environments. In the Broadband Public Wireless Local Area Network (PWLAN) environments, every WISP provides its own coverage at various locations or Hotspots. The most desirable option to help WISPs to reduce cost in providing wider coverage area is for the Home and Visiting WISPs to collaborate for customer seamless access via bilateral or multilateral agreement and proxy RADIUS authentication [1]. This is termed a roaming agreement. Due to the large number of WISPs desiring to enter the market, the bilateral or multilateral roaming agreements become complex and unmanageable. The traditional settlement model is usually based on customer’s usage plus margin. In the broadband PWLAN environment, most WISPs and customers prefer flat-rated services so that they can budget expenses accordingly. The current settlement model will not be able to handle the preferred flat-rated settlement. Hence, a novel flat-rated settlement model and clearance methodology for wireless network environments is proposed to enable multiple service providers to trade their excess capacities and to minimize cash outflow among the service providers via barter trade mode. We are unaware of other comparative work in this area.