Abstract
The environments of software development and software provision are shifting to web-based platforms supported by Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) models. This paper will make the case that there is equally an opportunity for mobile operators to identify additional sources of revenue by exposing network functionalities through web-based service platforms. By elaborating on the concepts, benefits and risks of SaaS and PaaS, mobile operators' experiments are compared and similarities with these models are identified. Based on the analysis of various case studies, this paper argues that mobile operators mobile web services are decisively shifting from SaaS to PaaS models. However, these platforms incorporate fragmentation at several levels and are likely to face future challenges in order to thrive.

Abstract
This paper analyses two business scenarios to evaluate the strategic impact of Future Internet and the Unified Management Framework facilitating autonomic networking in existing and future networks. The methodology is supported by three independently developed research frameworks allowing for the evaluation of the main business and strategic challenges that will arise between multiple business actors. The bottlenecks in the specific scenarios are the application service provider, solvable by a rethinking of the cost sharing model, and the location owners, who might not be organized enough to be a factor. © 2012 IEEE.

Abstract
In the context of telecommunications networks, the concept of self-organisation implies the introduction of functionalities that lead to the automation of network operational tasks and reduce the need for manual intervention, as well as the provision of DSA mechanisms and enhancement of radio resource management, improvement of QoS and QoE and reduction of OPEX. Based on the definitions of Self-Organising Networks (SONs) and self-x functionalities developed within the EU FP7 project E3, as well as on a methodology that systematically correlates technical functionalities, KPIs and business parameters, this paper intends to assess the impact of the introduction of self-x functionalities on the business of operators. In particular, it shows that self-configuration is relevant in the control of operators' assets as well as keeping a direct relationship with the customer, while self-managing has a high impact on the decentralisation of the architecture, on the simplification of OAM tasks and efficient monitoring of the system. In addition, self-optimisation contributes to an improved QoS and to the delivery of an optimised price/quality ratio in terms of service provision. Nevertheless, important trade-offs and challenges need to be overcome: barriers for commercial development due to lack of incentives for equipment vendors, standardisation activities towards multi-vendor SON solutions and the right balance between quality of service and customer intimacy. ©2010 IEEE.

Abstract
The main challenge to allow for use of the so-called TV White Spaces is to achieve a reliable approach for detecting presence of licensed users ensuring that harmful interference to television signals and other incumbent services does not occur. In the current debate, there is a trend towards the use of a geo-location database only, driven by the fear that other techniques fail to achieve the required detection reliability. Therefore, in this paper we intend to assess if the technical and business value of sensing in the context of TVWS should be neglected. Taking in consideration the discussion on the adequate technical requirements currently taking place in Europe and the USA, the cost and performance of the proposed techniques for local sensing, distributed sensing and geo-location database are compared through a simple model. As a result, we conclude that using a distributed sensing solution based on low-cost low-power sensing engines, we could achieve a solution with hardware and energy costs a par with the geo-location database. However, by assessing the costs and business impacts for stakeholders such as manufacturers and White Spaces Service Providers we conclude that in the geo-location database solution, regulators, White Spaces Service Providers, White Spaces Database Providers and consumers may incur additional infrastructure, maintenance and administrative costs compared to a distributed sensing solution. Consequently, we are of the opinion that the distributed sensing solution in the context of TVWS does indeed present value and its business and technical impact should be considered in further research and regulatory activities. © 2011 IEEE.

Abstract
The environments of software development and software provision are shifting to Web-based platforms supported by Platform/Software as a Service (PaaS/SaaS) models. By elaborating on these concepts, their benefits and risks, mobile operators' experiments with these models are analysed and similarities are identified. This paper will argue that mobile operators' mobile web services are shifting from SaaS to PaaS models and there is equally an opportunity for mobile operators to identify additional sources of revenue by exposing network functionalities through Web-based service platforms. However, analysed platforms incorporate fragmentation at several levels and are likely to face future challenges in order to succeed. © 2009 IEEE.

Abstract
Design, deployment and operations of future networks are expected to tackle a diverse range of business and technical challenges, such as how to empower networks with features of self-adapting to dynamic context and users' requirements, allowing for the emergence of disruptive business models and new industrial ecosystems. This paper focuses on defining and analysing two business scenarios in order to study the impacts of introducing autonomic networks. By identifying the business roles and relationships between them and business and strategic issues that may arise, we aim at establishing an overarching business ecosystem and a common reference model reflecting the challenges and opportunities of autonomic networking. © 2011 IEEE.