Blinding encryption protocols, 5x mobile cloud gaming data traffic, a refocused 5G core and “7 day weekend” traffic after people switched to lockdown home working are among the trends impacting mobile data in 2021.
Enea gathered these insights on what global operators can expect this year from a cross-section of mobile industry thought leaders including AT&T, Telefonica, RootMetrics, Tutela, Analysys Mason, Strategy Analytics and ABI Research.
Some of the major trends include:
Legacy of Covid-19 – ‘7 day weekends’: After being forced to work from home during lockdowns, people continue to work remotely – and a new mobile traffic phenomenon has emerged as operators face a “7 day weekend”. Demand for data has grown exponentially – all week long - in suburban areas, while demand has fallen in business districts on weekdays. Many operators expect this this trend to continue beyond 2021 and even post-pandemic.
Use case benchmarks: Covid-19 has also impacted how mobile operators are benchmarked by companies such as RootMetrics and Tutela. In their quest to become #1, operators will have to consistently manage new use case-based benchmarking criteria. In 2021 the top use cases for 5G are predicted to be cloud gaming, group video calling, including watch parties, and for enterprises, private 5G networks.
Blinding encryption: Operators could be blinded by new OTT encryption protocols being introduced in 2021 - even before standards are agreed. Currently over 85% of traffic on mobile networks is encrypted and operators have relied on traditional optimization technology to manage this so far. This will change dramatically during 2021, said Enea.
Collaborative mobile cloud gaming: Operators will face 5x increase in mobile cloud gaming traffic by the end of 2021. Gratifying gamers and shocking parents, the WHO recommended gaming as a way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Gaming was already on an upward trajectory even before WHO’s blessings.
Refocused 5G priorities: Many European and North American operators have deployed 5G non-standalone (NSA) networks with a view to monetizing a limited number of use cases.
Indranil Chatterjee, Chief Customer Officer at Enea
Last year, operators faced significant challenges and yet they provided a valuable lifeline to millions across the world. 2021 provides both opportunities and challenges, so we brought together some of the brightest minds in the industry to explore these in detail.
