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A theoretical framework for satellite-based Web multicasting services

We study Web multicasting, a service offered by satellite operators to Internet Service Providers around the world. This service employs satellite connections for disseminating periodically Web content to regional and "institutional" WWW caches. We propose a theoretical framework for Web multicasting and formalize the notions of utility and QoS perceived by customers of Web multicasting services. We explore two alternative charging schemes, usage- and subscription-based pricing, and propose a framework for negotiating the provision of the Web multicasting service between a satellite operator and its potential customers. We use this negotiation framework to compare theoretically the two pricing schemes at hand. We show that a given level of QoS can be guaranteed under subscription-based pricing at a cost at least as low as under usage-based pricing. Our theoretical framework can be used further by satellite operators and prospective customers to define the content provided through Web multicasting, estimate its quality, negotiate its price and assess its overall effectiveness.