Optimization models and methods for telecommunication network design with varying and uncertain demands

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To build and operate a modem telecommunication network economically, the uncertainty of demand forecasts and the evolution of the network over time must already be better taken into account during the planning phase. The goal of this project is to develop mathematical models and optimization methods for this task which strongly outperform those used today. First, we are planning to structure the planning requirements for various technologies (IP/MPLS, SDH, OTH, WDM) in terms of mixed integer programming models. For these models, we intend to develop primal and dual solution methods. The goal is to be able to compute cost-effective networks with a quality guarantee for several demand scenarios. Ideally, the employed methods provide us with information to prove optimality ofthe computed network configurations. In cooperation with network operators and equipment vendors, we intend to define and publish practically relevant reference scenarios in order to evaluate our algorithms. While our Polish project partners will concentrate on the uncertainty of demand forecasts at a single point in time, ZIB will focus on the evolution of demands over time. Both partners will work together on the theoretical background for basic models and on the definition of reference scenarios. Eventually, common computational studies are planned to investigate the interaction between uncertain demand forecasts and the evolution of demands over time.