Wireless networks to be tested by World Cup

This week’s beginning of the World Cup in Brazil is expected to be not just a battle over soccer supremacy, but also the ultimate test of wireless networks as fans both across Brazil and the world will look for ways to remain connected to the event regardless of their location. This is expected to not only test wireless networks in Brazil, but those of operators around the globe as consumer lust for all-things World Cup and a growing appetite for video content.
In an attempt to put some perspective on this epic challenge, RCR Wireless News spoke with a trio of experts in looking at the preparedness of mobile networks for handling the onslaught. Those experts included Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, analyst and director of Mobile Broadband Opportunities at Strategy Analytics; Nitin Bhandari, CEO and co-founder of Skyfire (Opera); and Cam Cullen, VP global marketing at Procera Networks.

While all seemed to indicate that the World Cup event will indeed put a unique strain on wireless networks worldwide from consumers, all three also seemed to think that regardless of the steps put in place to handle the load, it’s unlikely current iterations of commercial networks will be able to handle the traffic without stumbling. In fact, Bhandari said he expects 60% of consumers that attempt to stream video content while at a World Cup event will experience network buffering issues.
This despite the fact that at least in Brazil, wireless carriers have been attempting to bolster their networks through the use of advanced LTE technology and small cells. In fact, local wireless operators this week seemed confident that the measures put in place will be able to handle the expected traffic load.
While networks could crumble under the load of the World Cup, more hope was held out for upcoming events, including Brazil’s plans to host the Olympics in 2016. Panel members explained that operators are beginning to become more aggressive in implementing software solutions onto their networks that can provide more efficient monitoring and calibration of network resources. There is also confidence that the current move towards network virtualization through the use of network function virtualization and cloud will allow operators to be better prepared to handle growing mobile data and video traffic.
That thinking echoed a recent report from Maravedis-Rethink predicts nearly three-fourth of mobile operators will deploy some form of network functions virtualization by 2018, noting the move to NFV will be one of the most important ways carriers will “transform their cost base and their service delivery in the next few years.”
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