Small-World Phenomena in Communications Networks: A Cross-Atlantic Comparison

METHODS AND MODELS IN TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS. CROSS ATLANTIC PERSPECTIVES. pp. 201-220, A. Reggiani and L.A. Schintler, eds., Springer, 2005

20 Pages Posted: 21 Sep 2010

See all articles by Laurie Schintler

Laurie Schintler

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs

Sean P. Gorman

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs

Aura Reggiani

University of Bologna - Department of Economics

Roberto Patuelli

University of Bologna - Department of Economics

Peter Nijkamp

VU University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics; Tinbergen Institute

Date Written: 2005

Abstract

This paper examines small-world phenomena in communications systems focusing specifically on three networks each operating in different geographical spheres. The first is the logical IP (Internet Protocol) fibre optic infrastructure that connects major metropolitan areas in the United States (for the years 1997 through 2000), the second a portion of the Italian phone network using outgoing landline calls by district to capture network traffic dynamics, while the third one is a Peer-to-Peer (P2P) data network for the international exchange of music for a particular group of independent people. Power-law distributions are generated for each network to look for scale-free properties. The implications of the results of these experiments for transportation policy and planning, and the way in which they may vary depending on geography – i.e., for example, whether or not a network operates in Europe versus the United States, or whether it is one with no geographical boundaries and rather an international dimension – are hypothesized although a more thorough investigation of this is warranted. Also the paper offers some thoughts about the analytical methodologies, visualization techniques and data that are needed to facilitate a valid and informative cross-Atlantic comparison of communications networks in this context.

Suggested Citation

Schintler, Laurie and Gorman, Sean P. and Reggiani, Aura and Patuelli, Roberto and Nijkamp, Peter, Small-World Phenomena in Communications Networks: A Cross-Atlantic Comparison (2005). METHODS AND MODELS IN TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS. CROSS ATLANTIC PERSPECTIVES. pp. 201-220, A. Reggiani and L.A. Schintler, eds., Springer, 2005, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1680249

Laurie Schintler

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Sean P. Gorman

George Mason University - School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs ( email )

Founders Hall
3351 Fairfax Dr.
Arlington, VA 22201
United States

Aura Reggiani

University of Bologna - Department of Economics ( email )

Piazza Scaravilli, 2
Bologna, 40126
Italy

Roberto Patuelli (Contact Author)

University of Bologna - Department of Economics ( email )

via Anghera' 22
Rimini, 47921
Italy
+39-0541-434276 (Phone)
+39-02-700419665 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://https://sites.google.com/site/patuellihomepage/

Peter Nijkamp

VU University of Amsterdam - Department of Spatial Economics ( email )

De Boelelaan 1105
1081HV Amsterdam
Netherlands
+31 20 4446091 (Phone)
+31 20 4445611 (Fax)

Tinbergen Institute

Gustav Mahlerplein 117
Amsterdam, 1082 MS
Netherlands

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
31
Abstract Views
724
PlumX Metrics