Abstract

5G emerges with ultra-dense deployments of small cell networks to address the location specific service demand of various vertical sectors. While the development of technical solutions for network densification is progressing, less attention has been paid to local operator models and location specific service offerings. Efficient local service delivery promoting innovation and competition calls for opening of the mobile market for new entrants to operate local radio access networks (RAN) and 3rd parties to integrate their services into the networks. This paper applies the recently proposed micro operator concept to local ultra-dense networks where different stakeholders can become micro operators and deploy their small cell RAN for tailored service delivery. We depict the resulting high-level architecture and enabling techniques focusing on network slicing and spectrum micro licensing. While network slicing is well addressed in 5G research from the mobile network operator (MNO) view for providing an end-to-end connection for 3rd parties, there is little work on how the ultra-dense small cell RAN could be operated by another stakeholder. Micro operators could offer the RAN or end-to-end network slice that comprises of network elements belonging to different stakeholders with the help of local spectrum micro licensing with quality guarantees.