Sharing Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces in Multi-Operator Communication Systems for Sustainable 6G Networks

TL;DR

This paper addresses the inefficiencies of single-operator IRS deployment in multi-operator 6G networks by proposing a shared IRS framework with a central controller that coordinates reflections across multiple MNOs. It defines sharing strategies, emphasizes full sharing as the practical path, and proposes three control paradigms—Time-Division, Stand-Alone Switching, and World Model-based approaches—to maximize fairness, specifically by improving the minimum user rate across operators. Through numerical analysis, it demonstrates that IRS sharing can outperform conventional deployment schemes, especially as the IRS size grows, while incurring manageable degradation as the number of MNOs increases. The work highlights benefits for sustainability and cost efficiency in future networks, and outlines open issues in deployment, security, and multi-band operation that warrant further investigation.

Abstract

In this study, we investigate the use of intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRSs) in multi-operator communication systems for 6G networks, focusing on sustainable and efficient resource management. This research is motivated by two critical challenges: limited coverage provided by mmWave frequencies and high infrastructure costs associated with current technologies. IRSs can help eliminate these issues because they can reflect electromagnetic waves to enhance signal propagation, thereby reducing blockages and extending network coverage. However, deploying a separate IRS for each mobile network operator (MNO) can result in inefficiencies, redundant infrastructure, potential conflicts over placement, and interoperator interference. To address these challenges, in this study, an IRS sharing system is proposed in which multiple MNOs collaborate to use a common IRS infrastructure. This approach not only enhances network flexibility and reduces costs but also minimizes the effect of interoperator interference. Through numerical analysis, we demonstrate that IRS sharing effectively balances performance and fairness among MNOs, outperforming MNO-specific deployment methods in multi-MNO scenarios. This study provides insights into the potential of IRS sharing to support sustainable 6G networks, thereby contributing to the efficient deployment and operation of next-generation wireless communication systems.

Figures (5)

• Figure 1: Motivation of IRS sharing.
• Figure 2: BS-sharing strategies and their applicability to IRS-sharing.
• Figure 3: Proposed IRS-sharing system.
• Figure 4: Numerical result of the minimum achievable rate versus the number of IRS elements.
• Figure 5: Numerical result of the minimum achievable rate vs. the number of MNOs.