CAREER: Markets for Network Services

网络服务的经济模式，无论是用于基本连接的服务，还是通过网络提供的应用层服务，都正在经历前所未有的变化。例如，提供IP语音等服务的互联网服务提供商(ISP)正决定使用专有的服务差异化形式来改进这些服务，使其优于竞争对手的服务。随着越来越多的互联网服务提供商以专有方式实施服务差异化，可能会失去采用一致的架构方法来实现服务差异化的机会。这个问题与网络中立性辩论有关，其中一个核心问题是互联网服务提供商和内容/应用服务提供商应该如何分享收入。一些基本问题包括以下几个。在专有服务堆栈之间只进行竞争与在每一层进行竞争会产生什么市场影响？应该在法律或标准中确立什么架构原则，以引导市场结构的发展，从而为所有利益相关者带来更高的福利？提供商之间是否应该同时强制执行标准接口和/或收费做法？本项目研究此类问题，以便更全面地了解网络服务中体系结构和经济性的耦合。该项目开发了自私的用户和供应商互动的博弈论模型，然后使用这些模型来理解不同架构选择的福利效应。该项目的结果将为网络服务行业的架构和市场结构的发展提供参考。

The economic model of network services, both services for basic connectivity as well as application layer services delivered via the network, is undergoing a period of unprecedented change. For instance, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that offer services such as voice over IP are deciding to use proprietary forms of service differentiation to improve these service offerings over those of competitors. As more ISPs implement service differentiation in a proprietary way, there is a danger that the opportunity to have a coherent architectural approach to service differentiation will be lost. This issue is tied to the net neutrality debate, in which one core issue is how ISPs and content/application service providers should share revenue. Some fundamental questions include the following. What are the market effects of having only competition between proprietary service stacks versus having competition at each layer? What architectural principles should be established in law or standards to induce the development of a market structure that results in higher welfare for all the stakeholders? Should both standard interfaces and/or charging practices be enforced between providers? This project investigates questions such as these in order to achieve a more complete understanding of the coupling of architecture and economics in network services. The project develops game theoretic models of the interaction of selfish users and providers, and then uses these models to understand the welfare effects of different architectural choices. The results of this project will inform the development of both the architecture and market structure of the network services industry.