US : iGR's recently published IMS: A Model of Bandwidth Usage report forecasts the adoption of some potential IMS-based applications. The report’s findings suggest that 3G mobile bandwidth usage will experience a nearly tenfold increase by 2011.
The report reached this conclusion by modeling: the current bandwidth usage among mobile data users; the future bandwidth usage of IMS-based applications among those same users; and forecasting the increased bandwidth consumption based on those mobile data and application usage profiles.
The models created by iGR for this report show that in 2006, light mobile data users consumed approximately 5.92MB per user per month; medium users consumed approximately 17.68MB; and heavy mobile data users consumed about 44.4MB per user per month. The types of mobile applications used in the model range from email and Web browsing to virtual private network logins and instant messaging. Moreover, the model suggests that in 2006, all categories of users (light, medium, heavy) sent and received more than 0.73 terabytes (TB) per month of data over the radio link and backhaul network segments.
By 2011, iGR forecasts that number to increase to 6.94 TB – an 857 percent increase in less than 5 years time.
“This study provides a frame of reference within which mobile operators can evaluate the future price of their mobile data packages as a result of IMS implementation and adoption,” says Matt Vartabedian, research manager at iGR. “The report also provides a concrete way to discuss applications that have yet not yet been commercially implemented – it goes beyond the ‘IMS is push-to-talk’ stereotype.”
By implementing an IMS platform, service providers gain a common, central and secure service development framework and architecture that operates across multiple network domains. In essence, IMS allows for network and service evolution versus network and service revolution, and allows the mobile service provider to avoid simply providing a “dumb pipe” data service.
About iGR
iGR is a market strategy consultancy that conducts research on major wireless and mobile technology and business issues. www.iGR-Inc.com
