Ethernet answer to mobile data explosion

George Wareing reckons operators must prepare to boost network capacity

Mobile data traffic is growing faster than anyone could have predicted. In the past four years it has multiplied fortyfold, in figures I have seen quoted from Ofcom, with smartphones, tablets and 3G dongles straining the UK's mobile infrastructure.

As 4G handsets become available, mobile data volumes will no doubt go on increasing. Mobile network operators (MNOs) are looking at ways to ensure their networks are up to the challenge and examining how the data deluge can be turned into long-term, sustainable profits.

Mobile networks were not designed to carry the huge volumes of data we are now seeing and some are starting to struggle. This is particularly apparent in metropolitan areas at busy times such as New Year's Eve, and wherever large crowds of mobile users gather together.

MNOs have come up against this numerous times at music festivals and other outdoor events, but the situation is becoming more common.

One of the biggest tests to date was the royal wedding. With thousands descending on London to watch the wedding procession, MNOs worried whether their networks could cope with the expected large, localised volumes of data traffic sent out by smartphones. By allocating extra capacity in central London, they were able to keep services running smoothly.

However, this was just a Band-Aid.

MNOs in future will need to invest in higher-capacity and smarter networks to carry data. Because of the way the UK's mobile networks were built, a new approach will be needed.

Most mobile networks in the UK use synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) to transfer data over copper, fibre and radio networks. While this does the job, scaling up capacity is not cheap and costs increase proportionally with bandwidth.

Recognising this, MNOs have already started moving to Ethernet, which is a much more cost-effective way of increasing capacity. Add to this Synchronous Ethernet (Synch-E) to provide the synchronisation or timing elements required, and throughput will improve.

This means that if operators pay for 1Gb/s of capacity, that is what they will get.

Operators can use 1Gb/s Ethernet backhaul to deliver 3G that enables consumers to really exploit their mobile apps. And with the ability to increase capacity further as required, there should be no need to worry about 4G support in the future.

George Wareing is head of mobile and broadcast at Virgin Media Business