Posted: 19th Jan, 2012 By: MarkJ
Brocade, a global networking solutions company, has warned that "
legacy" Internet Protocol ( IP ) networks could "
breakdown" if they fail to be prepared for the "
coming deluge of data" that a new generation of 4G superfast Mobile Broadband services could bring to the UK in 2014.
At the same time a new survey from VirginMedia Business has claimed that high-speed networks and 4G connectivity are now amongst the
most important factors in businesses succeeding. Some 31% also said that
improved access to super-fast connectivity was a top investment priority for UK firms.
Marcus Jewell, Brocade's UK Country Manager, said:
"The coming of 4G to the UK will represent a mobile revolution arguably even greater than the introduction of the first smart phones, as mobile users finally get download speeds and capabilities similar to their fixed-line Internet.
Most commentators have pointed out that these speeds and services would be impossible were it not for the ‘digital dividend’ from the shutdown of analogue broadcasting. What many people fail to realise, however, is that the colossal volumes of data that will result from 4G will cause serious problems for unprepared IP networks. Without action to future-proof the underlying IT infrastructure the limitations of 3G, such as lack of bandwidth, will merely be shifted from the airwaves into the data centre.
This issue is compounded when one takes into account how users’ expectations have changed over the last few years. These days, users don’t just want Internet access – they demand a seamless, high availability service that conveys a great user experience. Unless IT networks are prepared to handle the data deluge from millions of 4G devices, there will inevitably be bottlenecks and breakdowns, which will naturally affect the mobile service itself."
Naturally Brocade, which could be said to have a strong vested interest here, has called upon UK mobile network operators to address "
vulnerabilities, chokepoints or outdated equipment" in their IP network infrastructure before 4G is launched.
In fairness most mobile operators are already having to contend with
skyrocketing mobile data usage, as Three (3) recently indicated (
here), and the upgrade to 4G is likely to further fuel this; depending upon whether or not operators implement it as a two-tier (premium) access solution or via a general upgrade. The former would make traffic easier to manage but might anger some
Net Neutrality advocates.