**2. Evolution of data traffic and future demand**

Globally, mobile communication data traffic is expected to increase 26-fold between 2010 and 2015 and reach 6.3 exabytes per month by 2015. Furthermore, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of mobile data traffic is expected to reach 92 percent over the period 2010 to 2015. Moreover, during 7 years from 2005 to 2012 mobile data traffic will have increased a thousand-fold. In 2010, about 49.8% of mobile data traffic was video traffic. By deploying a converged fiber and wireless communication (Fi-Wi) technologies, the operators and service providers can meet the challenges they face from the continued dramatic growth in mobile data traffic volumes.

By the end of 2011, video traffic over mobile networks reached about 52.8% of the total traffic on mobile networks. It is expected that almost 67% of the world's total mobile traffic will be video by 2015 and that the volume of video traffic on mobile networks will have doubled every year over the period 2010 to 2015, (FP7, 2010, Cisco Visual Networking Index, 2011). In Fig. 3, the worldwide growth in data traffic rates per month are compared for mobile terminals and other devices. Fig. 3 (a) shows the anticipated growth of data traffic by user terminal type for the following terminal types: tablets, machine-to-machine (M2M), home gateways, smartphones, laptops, non-smartphones, and other portable devices. It is predicted that in 2015 82.4% of all network data traffic, about 5.768 exabbytes per month, will be being transported to and from just by two types of portable wireless devices. Specifically, it is predicted that 55.8% and 26.6% of all network data traffic will relate to laptop and smartphone users, respectively. As shown in Fig. 3 (b), the expectation is that the data traffic rate relating to mobile devices will be about 6.3 exabaytes per month by the end of 2015, (Cisco Visual Networking Index, 2011).

important that the spectral efficiency of the communication system should be maximized, as this one of the main limitations to providing low cost high data rate services, (OMEGA ICT Project, 2011; Yuen et al., 2004). By deploying converged fiber and wireless communication (Fi-Wi) technologies, network operators and service providers can meet the challenges of providing low cost high data rate services to wireless users. Only the relatively huge bandwidth of a fiber-optic access network can currently support low cost

This chapter makes the case for radio over fiber (RoF) networks as a future proof solution for supporting super-broadband services in a reliable, cost-effective, and environmentally

This chapter is organized as follows: In Section II, the evolution of Internet traffic driven by the growth in wired and wireless subscribers worldwide is discussed. In Section III, solutions for cost effective transportation of traffic volumes in line with the demand expected as a result of anticipated growth in interactive video, voice communication and data services are presented. In Section IV, the radio over fiber (RoF) network as a future proof solution for supporting super-broadband services is described as a reliable, costeffective and environmentally friendly technology. Finally, concluding remarks are given in

Globally, mobile communication data traffic is expected to increase 26-fold between 2010 and 2015 and reach 6.3 exabytes per month by 2015. Furthermore, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of mobile data traffic is expected to reach 92 percent over the period 2010 to 2015. Moreover, during 7 years from 2005 to 2012 mobile data traffic will have increased a thousand-fold. In 2010, about 49.8% of mobile data traffic was video traffic. By deploying a converged fiber and wireless communication (Fi-Wi) technologies, the operators and service providers can meet the challenges they face from the continued

By the end of 2011, video traffic over mobile networks reached about 52.8% of the total traffic on mobile networks. It is expected that almost 67% of the world's total mobile traffic will be video by 2015 and that the volume of video traffic on mobile networks will have doubled every year over the period 2010 to 2015, (FP7, 2010, Cisco Visual Networking Index, 2011). In Fig. 3, the worldwide growth in data traffic rates per month are compared for mobile terminals and other devices. Fig. 3 (a) shows the anticipated growth of data traffic by user terminal type for the following terminal types: tablets, machine-to-machine (M2M), home gateways, smartphones, laptops, non-smartphones, and other portable devices. It is predicted that in 2015 82.4% of all network data traffic, about 5.768 exabbytes per month, will be being transported to and from just by two types of portable wireless devices. Specifically, it is predicted that 55.8% and 26.6% of all network data traffic will relate to laptop and smartphone users, respectively. As shown in Fig. 3 (b), the expectation is that the data traffic rate relating to mobile devices will be about 6.3 exabaytes per month by the end

high data rate services for wired and wireless users.

**2. Evolution of data traffic and future demand** 

dramatic growth in mobile data traffic volumes.

of 2015, (Cisco Visual Networking Index, 2011).

friendly way.

Section V.

Fig. 3. The anticipated growth of data traffic (a): by user terminal type , (b) forecast of mobile data traffic growth by 2015, (Cisco Visual Networking Index, 2011).

High-Definition Television (HDTV) can now be provided in many countries throughout the world while Ultra High Definition Television (UHDTV) is now being studied in Japan as the most promising candidate for next-generation television beyond HDTV, and Super-HighDefinition Television (SHDTV). UHDTV consists of extremely high-resolution imagery and multi-channel 3D video and sound to give viewers a stronger sensation of presence. The UHDTV project's commercializing outlook is to become available in domestic homes over the period 2016 to 2020. For example, in 2005, NHK demonstrated a live relay of a UHDTV program using dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) with 24 Gbit/s speed over a distance of 260 km on a fiber optic network. In 2006 NHK demonstrated a solution for bandwidth efficient delivery of UHDTV, utilizing a codec developed by NHK the video was compressed from 24 Gbit/s to 180–600 Mbit/s and the audio was compressed from 28 Mbit/s to 7–28 Mbit/s, (Sugawara et al., 2007; Kudo, 2005).
