The Cisco Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update is not only the proud owner of the longest report title ever, but of some rather startling facts. The first of these is that global mobile data traffic grew by 74% in 2015. The second is that over the past ten years, mobile data traffic has grown 4 000-fold – a fact followed by 4G overtaking 3G and mobile offload exceeding cellular traffic for the first time in 2015. Not only do these facts point to rapidly growing capacity demands and more strain on already beleaguered networks, but to the need to invest in networks and wireless backhaul strategies that can support the rising tide of data.

“The consumption of data is rising – and rising exponentially. It is estimated that by 2020, an entire generation will have grown up in a digital world. Their reliance on technology and a desire to be connected will transform and digitise the landscape even further, so we need the infrastructure to ensure that this can take place,” says Riaan Graham, sales director, Ruckus Wireless, Sub-Saharan Africa.