According to ABI Research, global mobile data traffic is expected to register a growth of 72 per cent in 2013 to reach 23,000 petabytes. By 2018, total mobile data traffic will reach 131,000 petabytes.
The research firm adds that the service providers are well-placed to handle the exponential growth in mobile data traffic. A majority of operators are rolling out long term evolution (LTE) networks for optimum utilisation of their existing network and are offering an enhanced broadband experience to subscribers.
Operators are also experimenting with aggregation technology which allows mobile operators to ?chain? spectrum blocks for substantial capacity and speed gains. ABI Research estimates that the available spectrum for global operators will increase from about 300 MHz to 1,500 MHz over the next five to 10 years. The service providers are focusing on optimising their network base station assets to make the best possible (re)use of their allocated spectrum. However, at the end of the first quarter of 2013, only a small number of operators have fully chalked out a small cell strategy incorporating Wi-Fi hotspots and small cell LTE base stations. Early adopters include Softbank, NTT Docomo, SK Telecom, KT, Uplus and Verizon Wireless.
