Smart devices are fueling the increase in LTE network traffic, according to a report from Oracle.

The Oracle Communications LTE Diameter Signaling Index, Fifth Edition, which was released today, provides communications professionals – including network engineers and executives — a road map to better plan and manage global growth in LTE Diameter Signaling.

Diameter signaling is expected to generate 513 million messages per second (MPS) by 2020. As 5G implementations begin to roll out in years to come, Diameter growth will only accelerate as the signaling technology for 5G as well.

LTE Diameter Signaling Traffic by Region

Latin America and the Caribbean continue to show steady growth in Diameter networks. The region will generate 15.6 million MPS by 2020, a CAGR of 59 percent.

The Middle East and Africa will reach 19 million MPS of Diameter signaling by 2020, a CAGR of 58 percent.

Asia Pacific region will become the largest generator of Diameter signaling traffic in the world, with more than 56 percent of the world’s LTE connections by 2020. This will represent 385 million MPS and a CAGR of 59 percent.

North America leads the world in LTE penetration as service providers move aggressively to sunset 2G and 3G services. It is projected that 59 percent of connections in the United States will be 4G/LTE by 2020. In addition, the region will more than triple MPS to 46 million by 2020, representing a 32 percent CAGR.

Europe generates 13 percent of the worlds Diameter signaling. Eastern Europe generated 1,387 million MPS in 2015, with an expected growth rate of 88 percent by 2020. In comparison, Western Europe generated 5 million MPS in 2015, growing to 34 million MPS by 2020 for a CAGR of 46 percent.

Oracle tips

To effectively manage this influx in traffic, it’s critical to understand where it’s coming from and what’s driving it.

LTE Broadcast remains one of the fastest-growing generators of Diameter signaling traffic as video becomes more prevalent in our everyday Voice over LTE (VoLTE) is also expected see a significant uptick because consumers continue to use voice and data.

Devices that reach beyond the traditional mobile handset, such as sensors used in smart city and connected car initiatives will have a significant impact on Diameter signaling growth, as will  signaling associated with policy management required to support more sophisticated data plans and applications.

“CSPs need to innovate and properly plan for Diameter signaling growth to meet changing industry and consumer demands, and leveraging the cloud is one of the clearest avenues for CSPs to achieve these goals,” said Doug Suriano, senior vice president and general manager, Oracle Communications, in a statement.

Baburajan K
[email protected]