What kind of intelligence do networks need?
For most operators, bandwidth demands are accelerating faster than they can cost-effectively support. To keep up, operators need to gain more visibility into, and control of, their mobile networks. To get this control and visibility, operators need smarter networks.
But exactly what kind of smarts do networks need? They need more advanced bandwidth management tools in their radio access network (RAN), transport networks and packet core.
These tools include deep packet inspection (DPI), hierarchical QoS and analytics. With this technology, operators can create more intelligent networks and cost-effectively understand the needs of their users while optimizing existing network resources.
The future of mobile is dynamic
More advanced bandwidth management tools help operators prepare for future network demands— which are only going to increase and become more dynamic. As bandwidth demand ebbs and flows, more intelligent networks can use policy-based traffic management to proactively manage themselves— meaning they can route traffic most efficiently.
More importantly, network intelligence enables operators to process traffic closer to the user. In the past, operators transported all traffic to a centralized location for processing. This approach works fine for first deployments or for low bandwidth services. However, mobile network bandwidth is increasing exponentially today. So, operators need strategies to relieve network constraints.
Operators with smarter networks can implement intelligent offload points in the backhaul network. Then, the network is smart enough to conserve bandwidth on its own. For example, a smarter network can route traffic off the core network closer to the edge, saving bandwidth and reducing latency for real-time applications.
A world of options for operators
Network intelligence opens up many opportunities for operators. Near term, “bandwidth on demand” services will become the norm. Already today, operators are rolling out successful “hotlining” programs to offer users options that enhance their sessions.
These programs can go beyond giving prepaid customers the option to purchase more bandwidth. Operators can offer postpaid and premium customers enhanced mobile services for an additional price. Operators will soon adopt this model as a standard. It’s a win-win model: users benefit from the flexibility to customize services at a price they like and operators gain an opportunity to bring in additional revenue.
For this model to be effective, operators need to add intelligence into the transport network and mobile packet core. With intelligent networks, operators can guide users through the network experience. And operators have the right information to do this gently and subtly—not as a punitive measure.
Operators have many other options beyond intelligently offloading traffic closer to the network edge. They can also host user sessions within their own network, or partner strategically with over-the-top (OTT) providers to provide better-quality connections for premium content.
The bottom line is: network intelligence enables operators to deliver a better user experience while benefiting their bottom line.
