Network sharing: case studies and analysis (volume II)

Operators are increasingly looking beyond traditional co-investment models to increase profitability. These innovative strategies are enabling new players (such as hyperscalers and neutral hosts) to invest in networks. This, in turn, may enable operators to extend the scope of the collaboration beyond conventional infrastructure.

This report builds on our previous collection of network sharing case studies and analyses five additional approaches to network sharing. It identifies different forms of co-investment and summarises the reasons for, and benefits and drawbacks of, each approach. The report also provides recommendations for operators and regulators that are interested in how network sharing can affect their business and the overall market, respectively.

Key questions answered in this report

• What is the rationale for network-sharing agreements?
• Which network-sharing models are operators adopting?
• How successful have network-sharing agreements been for operators?
• To what extent are operators experimenting, and which network layers and services are they sharing?
• Who are the partners involved in cross-sector sharing agreements, and what are the drivers behind such arrangements?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of some of these approaches?

Case studies

• Bouygues Telecom
• China Mobile
• NTT DOCOMO
• Shared Rural Network
• Telecom Italia