Multi-Level Standardization and Business Models for Cognitive Radio: The Case of the Cognitive Pilot Channel

This paper examines the international, inter- organizational collaboration processes for the development of cognitive radio, which will be at the basis of potentially profound changes in the telecommunications value network, as well as its functional architecture, cost and value structure and the eventual value proposition of any services deployed in such a value network. The paper will analyze the transition in telecommunications from linear standardization taking place mainly in the domain of formal Standardization Organizations, to a highly complex and multi-layered process simultaneously involving formal organizations, informal bodies and industrial consortia. Subsequently, the paper discusses the development of a Cognitive Pilot Channel to show how innovation in telecommunications markets is determined by this complex interplay. It also explores how the collaborative process between research, regulation and standardization of a Cognitive Pilot Channel in different standardization platforms (viz. IEEE SCC41 and ETSI TC RRS) might influence the eventual deployment of such a cognitive radio technology and networks and services enabled by it, as well as the business models for it. For doing this, an exploratory business model scorecard analysis is performed on some of the different revenue sharing models coming out of diverging design choices of the CPC.