Surprising Predictions About Internet Traffic

Thanks to an insatiable worldwide demand for connectivity, Internet traffic will soar to staggering levels over the next several years, according to recent research from Cisco. The resulting report, "Cisco Visual Networking Index Global Forecast and Service Adoption for 2013 to 2018," presents a wide range of predictions that cover the growth of overall IP traffic, mobile data and streaming video, among other drivers. All of this bodes well for virtually all technology professionals—particularly those who specialize in hot niches, such as mobility, network systems operations, data analytics (especially unstructured), and content generation and support. "We are … witnessing incredible innovations and shifts in the industry," says Doug Webster, vice president of products and solutions marketing for Cisco. "The reality of the Internet of everything, the increasing demand for network mobility and the emergence of 4K video are [driving] significant opportunities for service providers today and in the immediate future." The forecast was compiled from independent analyst forecasts and real-world mobile data usage studies, along with Cisco's own estimates.