Economics of Integrated Sensing and Communication service provision in 6G networks
For network operators and regulators, this work offers an economic perspective on resource allocation in ISAC systems, though it remains theoretical without empirical validation.
This paper frames the resource tradeoff between sensing and communications in ISAC systems within an economic model, analyzing service prices, quantities, and profits. It demonstrates the existence of equilibrium quantities and prices and provides recommendations for regulatory limits on power and bandwidth.
In Beyond5G and 6G networks, a common theme is that sensing will play a more significant role than ever before. Over this trend, Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) is focused on unifying the sensing functionalities and the communications ones and to pursue direct tradeoffs between them as well as mutual performance gains. We frame the resource tradeoff between the SAC functionalities within an economic setting. We model a service provision by one operator to the users, the utility of which is derived from both SAC functionalities. The tradeoff between the resources that the operator assigns to the SAC functionalities is analyzed from the point of view of the service prices, quantities and profits. We demonstrate that equilibrium quantities and prices exist. And we provide relevant recommendations for enforcing regulatory limits of both power and bandwidth.