Internet Resource Pricing Models, Mechanisms, and Methods

With the fast development of video and voice network applications, CDN (Content Distribution Networks) and P2P (Peer-to-Peer) content distribution technologies have gradually matured. How to effectively use Internet resources thus has attracted more and more attentions. For the study of resource pricing, a whole pricing strategy containing pricing models, mechanisms and methods covers all the related topics. We first introduce three basic Internet resource pricing models through an Internet cost analysis. Then, with the evolution of service types, we introduce several corresponding mechanisms which can ensure pricing implementation and resource allocation. On network resource pricing methods, we discuss the utility optimization in economics, and emphasize two classes of pricing methods (including system optimization and entities’ strategic optimizations). Finally, we conclude the paper and forecast the research direction on pricing strategy which is applicable to novel service situation in the near future.