The impact of cognitive radio technology on mobile network operators' interorganizational networks and business models

In this paper, we analyze the impact of the introduction of Cognitive Radio (CR) technologies on the interorganizational networks of mobile network operators. We present a comprehensive overview of relationships between its main actors within business ecosystems and value networks. This analysis helps us identifying the positions of the different actors with respect to mobile network operators (MNOs) and constructing the value net of these latter after CR introduction. We finally determine its nature as a disruptive or a sustaining technology. In view of our analysis, we discuss the possibility of the emergence of a platform ecosystem centered on the spectrum database.