How our Mobile Providers are facilitating surging Data Traffic
The race to ensure our mobile networks provide sufficient capacity is becoming more difficult as our thirst for data continues to grow at an unprecedented rate.
Published 19/08/18
In the time that it has taken you to begin reading this sentence, over half a million Whatsapp messages will have been sent, ten hours of YouTube videos will have been uploaded and over one hundred thousand searches will have been conducted on Google. In 1992, global Internet traffic topped 100GB a day, in 2016, it was 20,000GB every single second. It is now predicted that annual global Internet traffic will breach 3.3 Zettabytes before 2021. To you and I, these figures are startling, but for our mobile providers, the figures represent an uphill battle.
The reasons for this surge in Internet traffic are obvious, there are more devices than ever before connected to our mobile networks. Furthermore, these devices have become more advanced, and are therefore gobbling more data every year. The smartphones of today pack big and beautiful displays, encouraging people to participate in activities such as live streaming video and playing online games. We are on the verge of seeing all our smartphones adopting 4K displays and embracing augmented reality, and these trends will initiate another dramatic climb in mobile data usage.
While we indulge in Netflix, our mobile providers are continuing the scramble to ensure that the demand doesn't reach levels that will threaten the supply. Already, in cities throughout the world, mobile networks have been crippled by congestion, putting our access to the Internet at risk.
In Ireland, a country with a relatively small and dispersed population, the effects of congestion can be felt in many locations throughout the country. Our 4G networks have experienced a slowdown, even as newer technologies designed to boost capacity have been deployed. This consensus is verified by Ookla, whose most recent report on the Irish market paints a dismal picture for our 4G networks. In fact, the data shows that both Vodafone's and Eir's customers have experienced a sharp decline in 4G speeds over the past two years.
Ireland's mobile users consume data more heavily than most of their European peers, thanks in part to larger than average data allowances. Three, the Irish mobile network synonymous with unlimited data, carries two-thirds of all Irish mobile data traffic. However, even if Three manages to carry more traffic than that of Vodafone and Eir combined, the network has seen its overall download speeds experience an increase. Below, I will briefly explain some of the methods that Ireland's mobile networks are utilising to boost the capacity of their networks, and as result, increase 4G speeds.
The reasons for this surge in Internet traffic are obvious, there are more devices than ever before connected to our mobile networks. Furthermore, these devices have become more advanced, and are therefore gobbling more data every year. The smartphones of today pack big and beautiful displays, encouraging people to participate in activities such as live streaming video and playing online games. We are on the verge of seeing all our smartphones adopting 4K displays and embracing augmented reality, and these trends will initiate another dramatic climb in mobile data usage.
While we indulge in Netflix, our mobile providers are continuing the scramble to ensure that the demand doesn't reach levels that will threaten the supply. Already, in cities throughout the world, mobile networks have been crippled by congestion, putting our access to the Internet at risk.
In Ireland, a country with a relatively small and dispersed population, the effects of congestion can be felt in many locations throughout the country. Our 4G networks have experienced a slowdown, even as newer technologies designed to boost capacity have been deployed. This consensus is verified by Ookla, whose most recent report on the Irish market paints a dismal picture for our 4G networks. In fact, the data shows that both Vodafone's and Eir's customers have experienced a sharp decline in 4G speeds over the past two years.
Ireland's mobile users consume data more heavily than most of their European peers, thanks in part to larger than average data allowances. Three, the Irish mobile network synonymous with unlimited data, carries two-thirds of all Irish mobile data traffic. However, even if Three manages to carry more traffic than that of Vodafone and Eir combined, the network has seen its overall download speeds experience an increase. Below, I will briefly explain some of the methods that Ireland's mobile networks are utilising to boost the capacity of their networks, and as result, increase 4G speeds.
4G LTE Advanced: Bridging the Gap between 4G and 5G
Vodafone, Three and Eir have all launched their own 4G LTE Advanced networks in many urban areas throughout Ireland. If you've ever noticed a 4G+ sign at the top of your phone, this is the network that you are using. 4G Advanced is an evolution of 4G, increasing capacity and speeds by utilising several techniques which aren't found with standard 4G. This technology has proven invaluable as we await the arrival of 5G and in markets where congestion has hindered older 4G networks. In fact, our 4G Advanced networks in Ireland boast theoretical maximum speeds of over 400Mbps, with typical speeds exceeding 100Mbps.
The primary reason for the boost in speeds is the implementation of carrier aggregation, that is, allowing devices to make use of multiple bands simultaneously. These bands (or component carriers) have different bandwidths (1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz), and up to five carriers can be aggregated for 100MHz of bandwidth. By aggregating different carriers, we can boost both upload and download speeds, achieving a maximum of 1Gbps download speed. The technology works with contiguous carriers located within the same frequency band, and with non-continuous carriers that are located within different bands across different operating frequencies.
The backwards and forwards compatibility of 4G Advanced is a key feature of the technology which allows devices to also work on traditional 4G networks. As more and more people upgrade to devices that can take full advantage of 4G Advanced, it will alleviate pressure on existing 4G networks and enhance every user's experience.
The primary reason for the boost in speeds is the implementation of carrier aggregation, that is, allowing devices to make use of multiple bands simultaneously. These bands (or component carriers) have different bandwidths (1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz), and up to five carriers can be aggregated for 100MHz of bandwidth. By aggregating different carriers, we can boost both upload and download speeds, achieving a maximum of 1Gbps download speed. The technology works with contiguous carriers located within the same frequency band, and with non-continuous carriers that are located within different bands across different operating frequencies.
The backwards and forwards compatibility of 4G Advanced is a key feature of the technology which allows devices to also work on traditional 4G networks. As more and more people upgrade to devices that can take full advantage of 4G Advanced, it will alleviate pressure on existing 4G networks and enhance every user's experience.
MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)
MIMO or Multiple Input Multiple Output combines data streams from multiple antennas to increase the bitrate. The technology significantly increases the ability to send and receive more data each second by sending information between numerous transmitters and numerous receivers. With 4G Advanced, 8x8 MIMO is used in the downlink and 4x4 MIMO in the uplink.
Massive MIMO, in a way, is best described as MIMO on steroids. The technology will involve dozens or possibly hundreds of antennas using high-frequency spectrum to increase capacity and speeds. The main advantage of Massive MIMO is the ability to boost the capacity of a network without the necessity to deploy significantly more spectrum. Other benefits of Massive MIMO include improved link reliability as there are more possible signal paths and greater resilience against signal jamming techniques.
Beamforming will be a breakthrough technology for our mobile networks that allows for more efficient use of spectrum by targeting concentrated beams of signal at devices connected to the network. This, combined with mmWave spectrum, will be the primary technology that will allow 5G to deliver blistering speeds in excess of 1Gbps.
Massive MIMO, in a way, is best described as MIMO on steroids. The technology will involve dozens or possibly hundreds of antennas using high-frequency spectrum to increase capacity and speeds. The main advantage of Massive MIMO is the ability to boost the capacity of a network without the necessity to deploy significantly more spectrum. Other benefits of Massive MIMO include improved link reliability as there are more possible signal paths and greater resilience against signal jamming techniques.
Beamforming will be a breakthrough technology for our mobile networks that allows for more efficient use of spectrum by targeting concentrated beams of signal at devices connected to the network. This, combined with mmWave spectrum, will be the primary technology that will allow 5G to deliver blistering speeds in excess of 1Gbps.
256-QAM
QAM stands for Quadrature Amplitude Modulation and is the method by which a signal transmits information and data. 256-QAM can transmit eight bits per symbol, thanks to the 256 unique constellations (2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 2⁸ = 256. QAM increases spectral efficiency and offers higher data rates by increasing the number of unique waveform shapes.
For example, Irish networks are using 256QAM and the aforementioned 4x4 MIMO to achieve theoretical maximum speeds of 400Mbps.
For example, Irish networks are using 256QAM and the aforementioned 4x4 MIMO to achieve theoretical maximum speeds of 400Mbps.
Densification: An Expensive but Important Step
In urban areas where the capacity provided by 4G has become insufficient, providers have resorted to densification as a method of boosting capacity. In simple terms, this means adding more base stations. When there are more base stations in an area that is experiencing congestion, traffic can be offloaded to sites nearby. Prime examples of locations that have seen densification work take place are cities such as Dublin and Cork where there are a large number of subscribers in a small area.
A common method of densifying a network in urban areas is complementing a macro cell with small cells (picocells and femtocells), boosting coverage and capacity. Small cells also improve the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) in their immediate locality, allowing higher order modulation to be transmitted such as the 256QAM mentioned above.
Densification will play a major role with 5G. As the technology will use ultra-high-frequency spectrum, the coverage footprint provided by each base station will be much smaller, and there will be a need for a base station every few metres to achieve reliable coverage and speeds. However, densifying a network raises its own set of challenges. For example, deploying so many base stations will be costly, and identifying the best option for backhaul can be tricky.
A common method of densifying a network in urban areas is complementing a macro cell with small cells (picocells and femtocells), boosting coverage and capacity. Small cells also improve the signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) in their immediate locality, allowing higher order modulation to be transmitted such as the 256QAM mentioned above.
Densification will play a major role with 5G. As the technology will use ultra-high-frequency spectrum, the coverage footprint provided by each base station will be much smaller, and there will be a need for a base station every few metres to achieve reliable coverage and speeds. However, densifying a network raises its own set of challenges. For example, deploying so many base stations will be costly, and identifying the best option for backhaul can be tricky.
Deploying more Spectrum
Perhaps the most obvious but expensive method of boosting the capacity of a mobile network is to deploy more spectrum. Shown above are the main holders of spectrum in Ireland, licensed by ComReg. Three holds more spectrum than any other Irish network, thanks in part to the spectrum it obtained when the company merged with O2 in 2015. This has allowed Three's network to provide huge capacity in places where it has deployed most of its available spectrum.
2600MHz spectrum has yet to be allocated by ComReg, something which would provide dramatically greater capacity in urban areas. Our mobile providers are continuing their process of refarming spectrum for 4G that is still being used to provide 2G and 3G services. For example, Eir and Three will likely begin to move their portfolio of 2100MHz from 3G to 4G, and this will be of great help in areas that are experiencing severe congestion at present.
Something to bear in mind is the fact that all of Ireland's mobile networks have spectrum which they have yet to deploy, giving them some wiggle room going forward.
2600MHz spectrum has yet to be allocated by ComReg, something which would provide dramatically greater capacity in urban areas. Our mobile providers are continuing their process of refarming spectrum for 4G that is still being used to provide 2G and 3G services. For example, Eir and Three will likely begin to move their portfolio of 2100MHz from 3G to 4G, and this will be of great help in areas that are experiencing severe congestion at present.
Something to bear in mind is the fact that all of Ireland's mobile networks have spectrum which they have yet to deploy, giving them some wiggle room going forward.
Conclusion: A Three-Pronged approach against Congestion
Video now accounts for over half of all Internet traffic, and its share will only grow as the pervasiveness of 4K displays and content continues to expand. Regardless of what you have been told, the introduction of widespread 5G will be a slow process, with a limited coverage footprint in rural areas. For most people, the evolution of 4G will bring more benefits over the coming years than 5G, a technology which will undoubtedly revolutionise our Internet experience when it touches everyone.
To combat surging mobile data usage, our providers are employing a three-pronged approach against congestion. This includes densifying 4G networks in areas crippled by congestion, purchasing and deploying more spectrum and using new techniques to improve spectral efficiency. The latter approach involves evolving 4G with carrier aggregation, 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM.
It's an expensive time to be a mobile provider, especially as the number of base stations required to provide a reliable service to customers reaches unprecedented levels. However, all of these techniques are essential to ensure that our networks can handle the accelerating rate at which we consume data. Because, for many, mobile networks are the only mean by which they connect to the Internet, a mean that will be jeopardised if we don't innovate and invest to boost capacity.
To conclude this article, I want to leave you with some staggering predictions from Cisco and Ericsson. By 2021, mobile data traffic will account for 20% of global Internet traffic, up from 8% in 2016. By 2022, the average user in Europe and North America will consume more than 20GB of data every single month.
To combat surging mobile data usage, our providers are employing a three-pronged approach against congestion. This includes densifying 4G networks in areas crippled by congestion, purchasing and deploying more spectrum and using new techniques to improve spectral efficiency. The latter approach involves evolving 4G with carrier aggregation, 4x4 MIMO and 256QAM.
It's an expensive time to be a mobile provider, especially as the number of base stations required to provide a reliable service to customers reaches unprecedented levels. However, all of these techniques are essential to ensure that our networks can handle the accelerating rate at which we consume data. Because, for many, mobile networks are the only mean by which they connect to the Internet, a mean that will be jeopardised if we don't innovate and invest to boost capacity.
To conclude this article, I want to leave you with some staggering predictions from Cisco and Ericsson. By 2021, mobile data traffic will account for 20% of global Internet traffic, up from 8% in 2016. By 2022, the average user in Europe and North America will consume more than 20GB of data every single month.
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