A 5G Hubs Location Hierarchized Problem that Balances the Connection of the Users

In this paper, a telecommunication network situation is studied. Particularly, the problem considers an upper-level decision maker that enables different types of hubs in the network and another one that connects the users to the enabled hubs. The objective of the upper-level decision maker is to balance the number of users connected to the enabled hubs. However, the connection of users is performed by another decision maker with lower hierarchy, the one associated to the lower-level problem. Hence, decisions at the upper level are given as parameters to the lower level. So that, the lower level is solved to obtain feasible bi-level solutions. In this case, the rational reaction of the decision-maker assigned to the lower level is obtained. Due to the complexity of this problem, an evolutionary algorithm is proposed to obtain a good approximation. Numerical experimentation shows the efficiency and robustness of the proposed solution scheme. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the proposed algorithm provides good alternatives for the bi-level decision-making process. Also, some managerial insights are given regarding the different types of enabled hubs and the connection of the users.