An approach to define Very High Capacity Networks with improved quality at an affordable cost

Abstract: This paper aims to propose one possible approach in the setting of VHCNs (Very High Capacity Networks) performance targets that should be capable of promoting efficient investments for operators and, at the same time, improving the benefits for end-users. To this aim, we suggest relying on some specific KPIs (Key Performance Indicators), especially throughput - i.e., the bandwidth as perceived by the customer - valid at the application layer, instead of the physical layer data-rate. In this regard, the paper underlines that the bandwidth perceived is strictly linked to the latency. The most important implication is that some of the most demanding services envisaged for the future (e.g., mobile virtual and augmented reality, tactile internet) cannot be met by merely increasing the low-level protocol data-rate. Therefore, for the VHCNs reducing latency through Edge Cloud Computing (ECC) is a mandatory pre-requisite.