It’s pretty well understood that wireless data usage is exploding. Devices like the iPhone have made the mobile Web a reality, with larger screens and sleek form factors delivering a quality user experience. But with applications like online video taking hold on wireless networks, providers could run into a capacity problem.
Networking rivals Cisco and Juniper see the opportunity. The two firms have separately developed new technologies that aim to help wireless providers handle the data deluge. Wi-Fi Planet has the details.
Demand for wireless data is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 108 percent over the next four years, hitting 40 Exabytes a year by 2014, according to a new report from Cisco.
The increasing usage of wireless devices to access the Web, and particularly to watch video, is expected to drive the meteoric growth. To meet the demands of wireless networks, both Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) and rival Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR) today unveiled separate initiatives to meet the coming wireless Exabyte traffic flood.
In Cisco’s case the new solutions are built on technology obtained through the $2.9 billion acquisition of Starent. For Juniper, the new wireless solutions come from its Project Falcon effort with the help of partners.
“It’s about enabling more capabilities for the mobile operator. We know that the amount of mobile data is growing exponentially,” Juniper Vice President Wendy Cartee told InternetNews.com. “What’s happening is that on the mobile broadband network there is so much data that is traversing that network that mobile operators really need to look at how to deliver better experience to their end users.”