'Large scale 3G deployment entails shift to an all-IP network'

What are the mobile Internet opportunities for SPs in India?

The mobile Internet has reached a major turning point with the proliferation of smart devices, greater availability of broadband, high growth of data traffic, and a movement of applications away from the wired world onto mobile networks, as in the case of apps for smart phones. At the same time, with the large scale deployment of 3G, and the emergence of high-speed 4G cellular wireless standards such as LTE, networks must shift toward IP. The shift from the traditional TDM to the 'All-IP' plays to Cisco's strength.

Cisco recently acquired Starent solutions. Taking a cue from this, please let us know what Cisco's view is on the growth of mobile data/video in India, and what Cisco is doing to tap into this?

Our mobile Internet strategy falls into 4 main categories: applications; mobile backhaul; mobile packet core; and, the 'unified service delivery' offering we introduced last year. In the first bucket, which is part of our data center strategy we help service providers build a foundation for web based services. In the second bucket around mobile backhaul solution, we offer an IP based Radio Access Network that helps the operators transform their legacy SDH infrastructure to an All-IP Any Media, Any Radio for Any Generations (2G, 3G, 4G). In the third bucket of mobile packet core, the Starent portfolio is most relevant and dominant, both for the current third-generation (3G) networks and as we go to 4G. Also, our data center initiative is very nicely geared to service providers both because of Cisco's offerings and what Starent brings.

How will Cisco's IP based network platform provide service providers with a competitive edge?

The explosion in mobile Internet traffic has very interesting implications and the challenges for the way service providers need to design their networks. The Visual Networking Index provides them the opportunity to be proactive in this effort, and the Cisco Mobile Internet Solution Portfolio can play a major role in helping offset the associated operating and capital expenditures.

What are some of the key trends which will drive the growth of 'video' services over mobile?

Some of the most important trends are highlighted in the Cisco Visual Networking Index Mobile Forecast for 2009-2014. The forecast predicts mobile video will account for 66% of the global mobile data traffic by 2014.

Do you believe that data will overtake voice in the near future? How will the Indian industry cope with this sudden surge in demand?

No, mobile data in India is where voice was 4 to 5 years back. We are at an inflection point and we will witness explosive growth but it will take a couple of years and we see this happening in traffic terms in the next couple of years. Cisco's Mobile Internet Solution portfolio is designed to support SP to migrate to this new world order.

Beryl M
berylm@cybermedia.co.in

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