Management of International Networks Cost-Effective Strategies for the New Telecom Regulations and Services

Communications networks are complex structures which are difficult to manage effectively. When they cross international borders, they become even more complex. This book helps managers and technical personnel make strategic decisions that affect their communcations, from where to place a hub to where to locate their offices. Issues such as the regulatory environment, technical development level, and language can all affect these decisions. Applying the models set out by the author can help to balance the price, quality, and availability of services from one country to another, allowing managers to make a better decision. TOC:Management of International Networks: Theoretical Development.- Regulatory Environments.- Telecommunications Services Offering.- The Explorative Case.- The Cost-Effective Management Model.- Description of the Cases.- Summary and Conclusions.- Appendix A.- Appendix B.- Glossary of Terms.- References.- Author Biography.- Index.

Effective management of a communications network can be a difficult and costly activity, and even more so when the network crosses international borders. International network managers face a number of issues that are crucial to strategic decision-making, including the varying telecommunications regulations, operators, and services found within-as well as between-different countries. Focusing on these issues, Management of International Networks clears the way for network managers to make informed, strategic decisions. The author describes each of these issues in detail and develops models-illustrated by actual case studies-that allow a quantified analysis of each. With the ability to quantitatively assess these factors, managers can forecast the potential of cost-effectively managing a network within a given country and make decisions, such as:Where to place hubs for traffic in an international networkIn what country to expand the networkWhat services to obtain from which operator to ensure a cost-effective network The strong increase in demand for international network services combined with the rapid changes in the telecommunications environment in many countries necessitate a closer examination of international networks and the development of new models and tools that will facilitate management decisions. Management of International Networks fulfills this demand. Network managers, planners, and operators along with consultants, telecommunications lawyers-virtually anyone working with international networks-will find this book an invaluable tool and guide to this dynamic, evolving arena.

MANAGEMENT OF INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS Introduction International Networks Reasons for the Research (Why?) A Model for Management of International Networks Research Question (What?) Research Approach (How?) Network Management: Current Literature Summary THEORETICAL DEVELOPMENT General Theories: Telecommunications Management Network Theories for Input Parameter Regulatory Environment Theories for Input Parameter Telecommunications Services Offering Theories for Output Parameter Cost-Effective Management Crossing International Borders Legal Implications of Crossing International Borders Summary REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT Legal Framework for Competition Regulatory Body Competition Active Overview of the Regulatory Environment New Developments in Regulatory Environments Summary TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES OFFERING Telecommunications Services Economic of Services Crossing International Borders International Organizations and Telecommunications Services Developing a Telecommunications Services Offering Matrix Summary COST-EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT Overview of Cost-Effective Management Cost Relative to Size of the Network Performance of the Network Calculating the Cost-Effective Management of the Network Summary EXPLORATIVE CASE Lucent Technologies International Particularities in Practice Summary and Conclusions from the Explorative Case THE COST-EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT MODEL Requirements for a Cost-Effective Management Model Propositions for the Cost-Effective Management Model Propositions Explained with Heuristics Propositions Tested with Statistics in the Cases Summary DESCRIPTION OF THE TEST CASES Requirements Activities, and Description of the Cases Case 1: Calvin Klein Cosmetics Company (CKCC) Case 2: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Summary and Conclusions RESULTS OF THE STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF THE CASES Statistical Analysis Methods and Statistical Indicators Results of the Statistical Analysis for the CKCC Case Results of the Statistical Analysis for the UNDP Case Summary CONCLUSIONS, PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS, COST-EFFECTIVE STRATEGIES, AND FUTURE STEPS Conclusions: Research Results Recommendations Cost-Effective Strategies for Management of International Networks: A Checklist Further Research Summary APPENDIX: NETWORK MANAGER SURVEY GLOSSARY OF TERMS REFERENCES INDEX

van den Broek\, Floris