Artificial Intelligence Applications in Telecommunications and other network industries. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Balmer, Roberto E.; Levin, Stanford L.; Schmidt, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Telecommunications policy. Volume 44:Number 6(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence -- Machine learning -- Telecoms -- Network industries -- Economics -- Regulation; Telecommunication -- Periodicals; Télécommunications -- Périodiques; 384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.telpol.2020.101977
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0308-5961

Abstract

Abstract: Artificial intelligence applications in network industries have the potential to reduce network roll-out and operating costs, improve performance, enhance customer service, and support the development and introduction of new services. This paper identifies and analyzes the range of AI applications already in place and those expected to be in place in the near future. After analyzing the applications found in the literature, we have conducted interviews with senior executives responsible for AI in telecommunications, electricity, gas and water companies headquartered in North America and Europe, as well as with suppliers incorporating AI into their equipment. These interviews have provided information on which AI applications are actually being used in these network industries and which are expected to be implemented in the future. While some of these AI applications, like predictive maintenance, have already been implemented today by most operators, more complex applications, such as traffic management AIs for 5G, are being considered by only a few large operators. Finally, the paper explores the consequences of AI for regulation. At the least, regulators will need to understand AI in order to determine if AI applications raise regulatory concerns. At this point, however, as AI becomes increasingly integrated into network operations, regulatory issues are only beginning to emerge.