Wireless carriers need to get ready for the next data explosion. A report by Strategy Analytics says mobile phones will generate almost 2.2 exabytes of data traffic by 2013—and that is excluding wireless PC cards and other cellular-enabled devices. Such volume of data is equivalent to watching more than 120,000 years of DVD-quality video, the firm says. Eighty-four percent of the traffic will come from Web browsing.
In a session at the Consumer Electronics Show, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski vowed to explore every option available to help open more spectrum for wireless companies. Genachowski acknowledged during the session that there was a significant gap between future demand for mobile data services and the spectrum that would be available to meet that demand. However, he also said that the FCC wouldn’t only look into freeing up additional spectrum for use but at improving efficiencies in how spectrum is used—both at the device and software level.
Strategy Analytics analysts say consumer appetite for browsing, accessing applications, and consuming downloaded or streamed audio or video content has the potential to cripple mobile networks. Management of data traffic load is the biggest current priority for mobile operators, with compression of Web and video content to handsets an important element in any strategy.
