Internet: Global IP traffic is expected to increase fivefold from 2008 to 2013, approaching 56 exabytes per month in 2013

[Cisco] Today Cisco announced the results of the Cisco® Visual Networking Index (VNI) Forecast and Methodology, 2008-2013 that confirms consumer broadband usage and global IP network traffic continues to climb at an overwhelming pace due to new forms and expanded usage of interactive media, and the explosion of video content across multiple devices. The study projects that global IP traffic will increase fivefold by 2013. There are key consumer and service provider implications to the forecast that compares regions around the globe including North America, Western Europe, AsiaPac, Middle East and more.

The Cisco VNI Forecast was developed to estimate global Internet Protocol traffic growth. Projections are based on Cisco analysis and modeling of independent analysts' forecasts.

Cisco has created several unique applications to provide a closer look at IP traffic growth around the world:

A VNI forecast widget permits customized views of the growth of various types of network traffic
A "VNI PC Pulse" application for desktop and laptop computers enables individuals to learn more about their IP footprint on the global network and to compare their network usage with other users
Cisco Global Internet Speed Test (GIST) applications for iPhone and BlackBerry Storm smartphones test the combined connection and network speeds from various locations and compare them with user test results

Research Highlights: Global Total IP Traffic

Global IP traffic is expected to increase fivefold from 2008 to 2013, approaching 56 exabytes per month in 2013, up from approximately 9 exabytes per month in 2008.
By 2013, annual global IP traffic will reach two-thirds of a zettabyte (or 667 exabytes). (A zettabyte is a trillion gigabytes.)

IP traffic in North America will reach 13 exabytes per month by 2013, slightly ahead of Western Europe, which will reach 12.5 exabytes per month, and behind Asia Pacific (AsiaPac), where IP traffic will reach 21 exabytes per month

Middle East and Africa will grow the fastest, with a compound annual growth rate of 51 percent, reaching 1 exabyte per month in 2013.
Major Growth Driver: Video

By 2013, the sum of all forms of video (TV, VoD, Internet video, and P2P) will exceed 90 percent of global consumer IP traffic

Video communications traffic (video over instant messaging, video calls) will increase 10-fold from 2008 to 2013

Research Highlights: Mobile Broadband

Mobile data traffic will roughly double each year from 2008 to 2013, increasing 66 times between 2008 and 2013.

Almost 64 percent of the world's mobile data traffic will be video in 2013. (Mobile video is the fastest-growing application category measured within the Cisco VNI.)

Impact of "Hyperconnectivity" on Networks:

Consumer Hyperconnectivity, (which includes active digital multitasking and passive networking), increases the "digital day" as IP networks support more and more tasks and functions simultaneously from a host of networked devices (e.g. TV, PC, mobile device, et al.)

By 2013, active digital multitasking, such as listening to online music while working online or web browsing/instant messaging while talking on the phone, will add six "network hours" to each day

By 2013, passive networking, such as DVR recording while watching other network programming, online storage backups conducted in the background of user experiences, or ambient video from such devices as a security or nanny-cam, will add another six "network hours" to each day

Today, there are 36 hours in a "network day." There will be approximately 48 hours in a network day by 2013.

Research Highlights: Global Impact of Video Networking on Screen Size:

Digital screens of all types are proliferating along with other consumer devices. Not only is the number of networked devices multiplying, but the number of devices that have screens encourages more video consumption. The larger screen sizes are also accelerating the demand for higher-resolution video, thereby increasing the IP traffic required for each stream.

By 2013 the surface area of the world's digital screens will be nearly 11 billion square feet (1 billion square meters), or the equivalent of 2 billion large-screen TVs. Together, this amount would be more than 15 times the surface area of Manhattan. If laid end-to-end, these screens would circle the globe more than 48 times.

New Cisco Visual Networking Index Forecasts Global IP Traffic to Increase Fivefold by 2013