The increase and persistence of this trend has created a tremendous data growth which risks congesting cellular networks. This application note discusses the impact of network congestion and how Operators can overcome it.

1. Combating Network Congestion:
An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
All over the world, wireless broadband has become part of users’ lifestyle –
they rely on it for both work and play. The increase and persistence of this
trend has created a tremendous data growth which risks congesting cellular
networks.
This application note discusses the impact of network congestion and how
Operators can overcome it.
APPLICATION NOTE

2. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
Wireless Broadband, The Way of Life
Wireless broadband has become part of everyday life. Users rely on wireless
broadband technologies such as 3G, HSPA and WiMAX for both work and play.
Meanwhile, Mobile Network Operators (MNO) are incorporating Internet services
that complement users’ lifestyles, further aming the Mobile Internet craze and
increasing data usage.
Here are some reasons that fuel data growth:
a. Broad adoption of data services by users, especially on unlimited data plans
that encourage use.
b. Saturation of wireless broadband USB modems and datacards that promote the
usage of Mobile Internet.
c. Wide variety of smartphones such as the iPhone and Android-based phones
which allow users surf the Internet while on the go.
d. Availability of attractive data applications and services, for example, YouTube,
Facebook, IM, Mobile TV, location-based services and thousands of
downloadable applications.
o n of
Saturati s
Wire les
nd
Broadba
M ode ms
Broad
f
Ad option o
w th Services
Data Gro Data
Wide Fa ctors
Variety of
one
Smartph
e
Attractiv
Data
on
Applicati s
& Service
The Impact – Network Congestion
While the escalating wireless broadband penetration is to be applauded, on the
adverse it’s brewing a worrying trend. The steep surge of data consumption, if
unaddressed, can cause a catastrophe for MNOs - network congestion.
With mobile data traf c expected to grow tremendously, network congestion is a
erce battle Operators need to ght to keep their users happy. According to the
Cisco VNI Global Mobile Data Traf c Forecast, overall data traf c is expected
double every year from 2008 onwards and video will be responsible for the growth
of traf c, as shown in Figure 1 (next page).
APPLICATION NOTE 2

3. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
Source:
Cisco Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update Whitepaper,
January 2009
8-2013
AGR 200
131% C
2,500,000
2,000,000
D at a
TB per month
P2P
1,500,000
Vi de o
1,000,000 Au di o
500,000 2013
2012
2011
0 2010
2009
2008
Figure 1: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast
Why Network Congestion is Bad for Operators?
Decline in User Experience
One of the major consequences of network congestion is the decline in user
experience. For users, network congestion is translated into unstable Internet
connection and slow download/delayed interaction. As a result, users are less
productive and frustrated.
The Need to Step Up CRM Efforts
Frustrated users will ultimately go in search for an alternate service provider, leading
to customer churn. Hence, the CRM Department needs to step up efforts to divert
users from their disillusion and offer attractive rewards to keep users loyal.
Simultaneously, marketing initiatives have to be increased to draw new
subscribers and make up for the loss of existing ones.
Outpaced Revenue Growth
Increase in data consumption does not result in a corresponding increase in
revenue and Operators have observed this problem. Experts estimate that in the
next 5 years, there will be a 100 fold growth of aggregate data compared to twice
the growth of revenue. This growth in data consumption is re ected in Operators’
measurements as well as analysts’ forecasts as shown in Figure 2 (next page).
APPLICATION NOTE 3

4. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
Source:
Edited from Cisco, from Operators’ network data and Analysts, 2008; Informa, 2008; and
Pyramid, “Mobile data revenue will double by 2012,” Dan Locke, Analyst Insight, 4/2008.
1400
1200
w th
Gro
1000 at a
eD
re gat
800 Ag g
PB per month
10 0X
600 s t:
eca
Fo r
400
th
200 Forecast: 2X Revenue Grow
0
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Figure 2: Data Growth vs. Revenue Growth
What are the Available Alternatives?
The conventional solution to this problem is to upgrade existing infrastructure
which is expensive and time consuming. For example, recently Maxis
Communications, Malaysia announced a RM 1.6 billion (USD 460 million)
investment for infrastructure upgrade (refer to Figure 3).
Source:
Business Times, 12th September 2009.
Figure 3: Maxis Communications, Malaysia announces a USD 460 million network
infrastructure upgrade.
Data Offloading – The Preferred Solution
There is good news. Of late, discussions in the industry are skewed towards
alternative options which are more immediate and cost-effective. One of the
potential ways forward is to of oad data traf c from cellular networks such as
3G/HSPA to freer networks such as WiFi or even WiMAX.
APPLICATION NOTE 4

5. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
Green Packet’s Data Offloading Solution for Operators
Various industry players have proposed different models to of oad data traf c.
These range from network bundling programs and secondary infrastructure such
as femtocells. However, these options may be dif cult hills to climb due to
interdependent factors which include con icting network standards, lengthy
partnership negotiations and high initial (setup) costs.
Connection Management Platform (ICMP) –
The Ideal Solution
One the proposed model to of oad traf c is
through connection managers, such as Green
Packet’s Intouch Connection Management
Platform (ICMP).
ICMP is an easy-to-use, single-client connection
management solution, innovatively conceptualized
from the Mobile IP technology.
Mobile IP, an IETF standard communications protocol, is designed to allow mobile
device users to move from one network to another while maintaining their
permanent (single) IP address. With the provision of a single IP address, users are
able the stay connected even while switching networks. We call this feature
Seamless Mobility – users enjoy a meaningful connectivity experience while on
the move, without interruption to the current connectivity session.
ICMP is based on a client-server architecture model, where the client component
is installed on users’ mobile devices (both laptops and handhelds).
How ICMP Facilitates Data Offloading?
Today, cellular networks are used to support both voice and data services. A large
chunk of network bandwidth is exhausted to support data services such as SMS,
email, Internet browsing, video and audio streaming and le downloads. However,
these services need not be delivered via cellular networks such as 3G or HSPA
which are not optimized to support data services. Hence, cellular networks easily
face congestion.
APPLICATION NOTE 5

6. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
With its Seamless Mobility advantage, ICMP doubles up as a cost-effective,
hassle-free and immediate data of oading tool. Based on preset pro les,
Operators can determine the priority of network connection corresponding to the
surrounding environment. Hence, ICMP intelligently monitors the network
environment - if it detects that a user is using data services on a cellular network
(such as 3G) and there is less congested network (such as WiFi, WiMAX, DSL)
available in the same vicinity, ICMP transfers the user from 3G to WiFi without
interruption to connectivity, as shown in Figure 4 below.
As a result the cellular network is freed to support core services such as SMS and
voice and data services are transferred to more cost-effective networks. As a
result, users enjoy better connectivity experience regardless the network they are
connected to.
Without ICMP
Cellular
Network
Internet
Subscribers
3G Base
Station
Both voice and data services rely on cellular network to get connected to the Internet
With ICMP
Intouch Connection Cellular
Management Platform Network
Internet
Subscribers
3G Base
Station
DSL Network (home/of ce)
Other Networks
Data services are offloaded to other network which are less prone to congestion
Figure 4: With ICMP, data services are offloaded to freer networks
APPLICATION NOTE 6

7. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
A Simulation on How Operators Can Use ICMP to Offload Data Traffic
A simulation was conducted on a real 3G network model, with a network cell
capacity of 30MB and WiFi co-exists to support the of oading. Half the mobile
devices within this network cell were installed with ICMP. Mobile traf c within the
network cell reached a congestion level at 92% bandwidth utilization – the traf c
breakdown is shown below:
Stage 1 – Actual Network Cell Traffic Utilization
At this stage,
Streaming - 31%
a) streaming and browsing activities were
40% slower
3G Network Browsing - 19% b) 20% of voice calls dropped
Cell Bandwidth c) MMS/SMS faced a delay of more than
Voice Calls - 27% 24 hours
MMS/SMS - 10%
P2P - 5%
Stage 2 – Data Offloading with ICMP
Data traf c from the
Streaming - 24% 3G network cell
was of oaded to
the WiFi network
Browsing - 19%
WiFi Bandwidth which was currently
P2P - 8% at 51% bandwidth
utilization.
Stage 3 – Reduction in 3G Network Cell Bandwidth
From the data of oading exercise, data traf c from 3G network cell for mobile devices installed
with ICMP was transferred to the WiFi network, the diagram below illustrated the bandwidth
utilization of both networks post data of oad.
Streaming - 16%
Streaming - 39%
Browsing - 9%
3G Network Voice Calls - 27%
WiFi Bandwidth Browsing - 29%
Cell Bandwidth
MMS/SMS - 10%
P2P - 2% P2P - 11%
Total bandwidth utilization = 64% Total bandwidth utilization = 79%
Conclusion:
The 3G network cell bene ted from a 28% reduction in traf c, resulting in improved
streaming and browsing speed, no dropped voice calls and no delay in MMS/SMS.
Disclaimer: The findings above are a result of a simulation exercise and may differ in real life due to
network conditions, environment, location and availability of auxiliary services.
APPLICATION NOTE 7

8. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
Multi OS and Device Support
Mobile IP technology, upon which ICMP is built, works at the IP layer of network
protocols and hence it is device and OS independent. This gives Operators the
advantage to extend ICMP to all subscribers, a comprehensive data-of oading
solution.
How Operators Benefit from ICMP?
Improved Service Quality
By of oading data traf c to WiFi which is less congested, users enjoy improved
connectivity service – network connection is stable and faster download time. At
the same time, precious bandwidth space on congested-prone networks are freed
to provide good voice services.
Customer Retention
With improved service quality, users stay happy and remain loyal to their existing
service provider. Meanwhile, this saves Operators from having to invest in heavy
CRM and Marketing efforts to prevent churn. Instead resources can be effectively
utilized to attract new subscribers.
APPLICATION NOTE 8

9. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
Optimization of Current Infrastructure
With ICMP, Operators stay in control of bandwidth utilization and are able to
of oad data traf c to freer networks where possible. This enables Operators who
own cellular networks (which are congestion prone) to optimize the use of current
infrastructure and prevent expensive infrastructure upgrades to support the
growing subscriber base.
Cost-effective Solution
ICMP works on a client-server architecture model which is a cheaper alternative
as the client component is license-driven and supports the entire subscriber base.
Every additional user merely requires an additional license.
Other the other hand, other alternatives such as femtocells are limited by location
and the number of users it can support. Hence, as users increase in a particular
location, Operators need to install more femtocells to prevent network
congestion.
Embark on the Offloading Journey Today
Operators around the world have selected connection managers as their ideal
solution of network congestion and PCCW is one such example.
PCCW is Hong Kong’s leading telecommunications provider, offering one of the
largest commercial IPTV deployments in the world today over its 3G network, with
a household penetration of 40%. As a result of this, PCCW’s 3G networks faced a
high risk of network congestion.
PCCW opted for the immediate and cost-effective approach by using Green
Packet’s ICMP to seamlessly of oad data traf c from its 3G/HSDPA networks to
WiFi hotspots thus improving bandwidth utilization for better user experience.
Free Consultation!
If you would like a free consultation on how to combat network congestion,
contact us at marketing.gp@greenpacket.com (kindly quote the reference code
AN0909 when you contact us).
APPLICATION NOTE 9

10. Combating Network Congestion: An Immediate & Cost-Effective Approach
About Green Packet
Green Packet Solutions, part of the Green Packet Berhad group of
companies, is a leading developer of Next Generation Mobile Broadband
and Networking Solutions. Our mission is to provide seamless and uni ed
platforms for the delivery of user-centric multimedia communications
services regardless of the nature and availability of backbone
infrastructures. Founded in San Francisco’s Silicon Valley in 2000, Green
Packet Solutions has expanded its global footprint to Kuala Lumpur
(Headquarters), Singapore, Shanghai, Taiwan, Australia, Bahrain and
Bangkok.
Green Packet Solutions empowers Operators to improve ARPU via leading
edge carrier-grade connectivity solutions, content delivery platforms and
interoperability-tested WiMAX Modems. Green Packet Solutions’ products
offer best-in-class performance and are of the highest quality, ensuring our
customers are ALWAYS BEST CONNECTED!
With R&D centres located in USA, Shanghai and Taiwan, we are on the
edge of new developments in 4G (particularly WiMAX and LTE), as well as
software advancement. Green Packet Solutions’ presence around the
world shouts our global capabilities and localization abilities. Furthermore,
fellow symbiotic players can leverage on Green Packet Solutions’ strategic
alliances in the telecommunications industry to strengthen one’s stake in
the ecosystem.
For more information, visit www.greenpacket.com
Sales & Marketing Contact
For further inquiries on Green Packet’s Intouch Connection Management
Platform or other products and solutions we offer, contact us at
marketing.gp@greenpacket.com.
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