Blocking of ptp file sharing and other bandwidth hogs will be a standard facet of wireless broadband networks. Studies of 3G-3.5G data traffic shows that just a few percent of users (~3%) consume 50% or more of bandwidth. This poses a major problem as network capacity becomes saturated: it comes down to whether operators should deploy more base stations, remote stations and the requisite backhaul or charge according to usage. The service model is evolving towards open access, packaged services, and 'unlimited service' plans. But despite the bold print of unlimited marketing claims, there will be fine print in most agreements to the effect that operators will have the right to restrict/cap network bandwidth, i.e. BitTorrent and other file sharing protocols.
WiMAX, I-HSPA, LTE have elaborate Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms for monitoring signal quality and network/user traffic and then adjusting the user experience based on their service profile. The service profile can include time of day, location, primary and visited network status, and other information so that rather than have absolute caps on bandwidth, triggers can be put in place to reign in bandwidth as network traffic, signal quality and other conditions warrant.
If there is sufficient competition from alternative operators and networks, there should be pressure to increase capacity and open up networks to include more services. The best way, imo, to assure that the public has higher bandwidth is to foster more competition. That includes opening up more spectrum, including open network and device access mandates, and promoting competition between fiber optic, cable and wireless broadband.
In many impoverished areas of the globe the cost per megabit of bandwidth is typically higher, in some cases extraordinarily higher, than it is in developed countries. That has to do with cost of deploying infrastructure and also to the lack of alternative competition: even where backhaul and other costs are not gating factors, service providers can 'cherry pick' customers to whom they charge high prices. In some under-served regions, the difficulty and cost of connection to the global Internet and building out backbone grids is a limiting factor. They need to build fiber optic, and gigabit wireless infrastructure to support more ubiquitous broadband services. |
