大型流量生成器和网络使用：神话和现实

The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover,develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environmentsand societal change. Our vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity sothat people, industry, and society thrive. Representing mobile operators andorganisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA Latin America is the branch of the GSMA in the region. For moreinformation in English, Spanish and Portuguese, please visit www.gsma.com/ Follow the GSMA Latin America on X @GSMALatam and LinkedIn GSMA Latin GSMA Intelligence is the definitive source of global mobile operator data,analysis and forecasts, and publisher of authoritative industry reports andresearch. Our data covers every operator group, network and MVNO in every GSMA Intelligence is relied on by leading operators, vendors, regulators, financialinstitutions and third-party industry players, to support strategic decision- Our team of analysts and experts produce regular thought-leading research www.gsmaintelligence.cominfo@gsmaintelligence.com Contents 1.Executive summary 2.Introduction 3.Arguments so far: six key questions 1. Is the amount of network traffic a driver of the network cost? 2. Network operators already charge consumers for internetaccess, so will contributions from internet companies on thebasis of traffic delivery amount to double charging for the15 3. What is the advantage of charging LTGs for traffic delivery,compared to just charging consumers for the full amount? 4. LTGs pay for servers and own content delivery networks, sodoes this not give them a sufficient incentive to deliver content 5. Why are direct payments so rare today? 6. Would direct payments lead to discrimination on the internetand create a barrier to entry for smaller players? 1.Executive Digital ecosystem players and policymakers have been engaging in discussions over the viability ofproposed payments for network use from large internet traffic generators (LTGs) to network operators We examine the economic case for a potential market-based solution where LTGs face a price signalfor the usage of the public network. By focusing on a general principle rather than a specific schemedesign, we review the potential of payments as an instrument to improve economic efficiency, which Answers to frequently asked questions We walk through the key questions for and against the existence of payments for network use fromLTGs. As these questions have been an object of disagreement, we outline them in non-technical terms We conclude that under the current regulatory framework, the outcome can be suboptimal due toinsufficient incentives for LTGs to use networks efficiently. Payments on the basis of network use by The following six key questions confront the myths with realities: 1.Is the amount of network traffic a driver of the network cost? Yes, the amount of trafficdrives the network cost.Both the capital expenditure to set up the network and the operating 2.Network operators already charge consumers for internet access, so will contributions frominternet companies on the basis of traffic delivery amount to double charging for the sameservice?No. Networks are a two-sided market: consumers use them to reach content, and 3.What is the advantage of charging LTGs for traffic delivery, compared to just chargingconsumers for the full amount? Charging on the basis of network use provides incentivesnecessary to foster network efficiency and avoid the tragedy of the commons.These incentives expertise to manage data flows efficiently, including how their own services generate data traffic.This change could also improve fairness in who bears the network cost: light network users are 4.LTGs pay for servers and own content delivery networks, so does this not give them asufficient incentive to deliver content efficiently to consumers?No. While LTGs have someinternal incentives to use parts of the networks efficiently, they are not adequate to enableefficient traffic management.This is because of the cost asymmetry: close to 80% of the total 5.Why are direct payments so rare today?Currently, regulations significantly constrain networkoperators’ bargaining power, which limits the adoption of network use charges.Examplesinclude the net-neutrality regulations, universal service and quality obligations, and additional 6.Would direct payments lead to discrimination on the internet and create a barrier to entry for smaller players? No. Payments from LTGs are not at odds with open internet principles. Compensation for generated traffic can apply equally on a per unit of data traffic basis, ratherthan to specific types of traffic or specific providers. Such payments could only apply to contentproviders that achieve large scale and are therefore drivers of network investment requirements, Our conclusions Taken simultaneously, these answers lead us to conclude that the outcomes in the curre