Singapore, 17 September, 2013– Long-term evolution (LTE) Diameter signalling traffic will grow at more than twice the rate of mobile data traffic through 2017, according to the second annual Oracle Communications LTE Diameter Signaling Index™. The Index predicts that worldwide LTE Diameter signalling traffic will increase at a 140% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from 1.2 million messages per second (MPS) in 2012 to nearly 99 million MPS by 2017.
The Index gives communications service provider (CSP) executives, network architects and engineers insight into how new digital lifestyle services and personalised mobile data plans offered to LTE subscribers will lead to a sharp increase in LTE Diameter signalling messages.
CSPs’ desires to offer more personalised mobile data services will amplify the number and sophistication of network policies. Use cases include shared data plans, mobile advertising and sponsored data usage, machine-to-machine services and content partnerships, such as streaming audio or video included with subscribers’ data allotments.
Diameter is the signalling protocol CSPs use to deliver personalised digital lifestyle services. Diameter messages enable subscriber network access, secure interconnection with roaming and over-the-top application partners, accurate charging and usage-based services. They are essential for authorisation, authentication, policy, charging and mobility management.
With the growth in 4G/LTE networks built to meet the demand of smartphones and tablets, the number of Diameter signalling messages is exploding. Network policy is the primary contributor to signalling volume. According to the Index, policy MPS are expected to more than triple in each of 2013 and 2014 compared with the previous year. By 2017, policy will account for 62% of signalling volumes.
The Index predicts that North America will be the largest contributor to Diameter signalling traffic each year in the forecast period. In 2017, the region is expected to reach nearly 43 million MPS.
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) and Latin America regions will likely boast growth rates surpassing 200% per year through 2017. In the Asia Pacific region, the five mature markets of Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and South Korea will likely account for the majority of LTE Diameter signalling growth.
“Digital lifestyle services represent new ways for operators to engage and retain subscribers, expand partnerships with content and device providers and grow revenue and profitability. Behind the scenes, the signalling that underpins these services will also naturally increase, as consumers benefit from the speed, efficiency and creativity of new LTE services,” said Bhaskar Gorti, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Oracle Communications.
