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.

翻译：本研究探讨了在6G网络的多运营商通信系统中应用智能反射表面（IRS），重点关注可持续且高效的资源管理。该研究源于两个关键挑战：毫米波频率提供的有限覆盖范围以及当前技术相关的高昂基础设施成本。IRS能够通过反射电磁波来增强信号传播，从而减少阻塞并扩展网络覆盖范围，有助于解决这些问题。然而，为每个移动网络运营商（MNO）单独部署IRS可能导致效率低下、基础设施冗余、潜在的部署冲突以及运营商间干扰。为应对这些挑战，本研究提出了一种IRS共享系统，其中多个MNO协作使用共同的IRS基础设施。这种方法不仅增强了网络灵活性并降低了成本，还最小化了运营商间干扰的影响。通过数值分析，我们证明IRS共享在多MNO场景中有效平衡了各MNO之间的性能与公平性，优于针对单个MNO的部署方法。本研究揭示了IRS共享支持可持续6G网络的潜力，从而为下一代无线通信系统的高效部署与运营提供了参考。