How Facebook, Skype, and WhatsApp are Wasting RAN Resources

According to Flash Networks study - the most popular applications, Facebook, Skype, and WhatsApp Waste RAN Resources Communicating with Server 6 Times Each Hour When Idle

Flash Networks, a global provider of mobile Internet optimization and monetization solutions has released lab results from a live operator network showing that when Facebook, Skype, and WhatsApp were running in the background over a twelve hour period, they communicated with the network server 68 times, or about six times per hour.

After implementing Flash Networks xtraAir to minimize unnecessary communications when the device is in idle state, the applications established 22.7% fewer radio connections, conserving RAN resources and minimizing unnecessary signaling. For a carrier with 10M subscribers this could result in a reduction of 600 million unnecessary messages per day enabling them to support 20% more users with the same resources. These tests were conducted in a global network operator group lab in Europe.

Billions of smart objects, mobile devices and applications are being added to mobile networks creating a huge demand for radio connections. As the number of connected devices continues to grow rapidly, operators will need solutions that will enable them to connect to more “things” using the same infrastructure.

Flash Networks’ xtraAir Signaling and Radio Connection Optimization reduces the number of RRC (radio resource control) state changes and concurrent radio connections enabling up to 35% more users to be served using the same network resources. As a result, radio spectral efficiency is improved enabling operators to delay investment in additional infrastructure to meet the demand for more radio connections.

xtraAir automatically improves radio network performance by managing traffic flows at the network core using field proven, proprietary, and patent pending technology that streamlines mobile data traffic to maximize spectrum utilization.

“The need to beef up capacity to keep up with the insatiable demand for mobile data combined with falling revenues is putting the squeeze on operators to make the most of existing radio resources,” said Ofer Gottfried, CTO at Flash Networks. “In the near future operators will be faced with buying more radio capacity or using their existing resources more efficiently, and xtraAir can provide them with a solution to delay or reduce the needed investment.”