A dominant theme for the mobile networking industry at this year’s Mobile World Congress was how to cope with exploding demand for mobile data. Part of the answer is new technology but part is better spectrum policy.
Network operators today are facing a stiff challenge to expand infrastructure to keep pace with data traffic growth as more consumers stream HD video on their mobile devices and businesses employ collaboration tools to increase productivity. As a result, service providers are working harder than ever to manage their networks and scarce spectrum by deploying high quality small cell Wi-Fi in combination with traditional macro cell base stations. This is the “heterogenous network” or Het Net.
I admit it; there are times when I have been shortsighted. While I try to keep an open mind about the upside potential of networking applications for socioeconomic advancement, I’ve had my share of moments where I’ve missed the obvious — by not seeing the full spectrum of opportunities for advancement.
Case in point: when I started to publish my research, thoughts and observations online I was myopically thinking that my market reach would most likely be limited to people within North America.
Human beings are nomadic, social creatures by nature. Throughout the course of human history, we have innovated new communication technologies to help us stay in touch with our social networks while we roamed the globe. In today’s digital connected world, we have become “addicted” to mobility because of all the ways it enriches our life experiences. As proof of this fact, just watch how quickly passengers turn on their smartphones upon landing when you take your next flight.
Cisco is at the very center of the mobility technology revolution that is connecting the previously unconnected to benefit how we work, play, live, and learn. Our technologies and solutions have helped service providers build out their network infrastructure to give reliable mobile access to people and things in the places that matter most. Not far off on the horizon, mobile connections will be seamless and ubiquitous and the network infrastructure will be heterogeneous and transparent to the user.
For those of you who surf or enjoyed the movie Chasing Mavericks, imagine mobile traffic as a rapidly rising wave, exabytes of zeros and ones surging forward and gaining momentum, towering over the ocean’s surface.
But, what does all this mobile traffic growth, this Mavericks wave if you will, mean to SPs?
I see at least four significant implications: Read More »
In this business, “monetization” is often a nice way to say “profits”. And profits usually come at someone else’s expense.
But what if I told you you could be profitable giving away your product? Further, what if I told you you could be profitable, and your customer would also make money in the deal?
Too good to be true? Not at all. Telefonica’s O2 UK has found a way to give away mobile broadband service and make money doing it.
