Policy-Based Network Management as a Platform for the Pricing of Ubiquitous Network Services

Next-generation networks have the potential to service users without pre-existing contractual arrangements by using readily accessible pricing policies. The key issue is how to enable ad-hoc users to learn about the policies offered by a particular provider and to facilitate a negotiation between the provider and the potential user. Researchers working on the pricing of network services have offered solutions based on game theory techniques, market-based mechanisms (for example auctions) and techniques based on mesh networks among others. We argue that the Network Management field, and in particular, the policy based management paradigm provides excellent ideas that can be borrowed and adapted to the field of ubiquitous or pervasive services pricing. This paper explores the prospects of using policy-based mechanisms to adequately price ubiquitous network services.