The 2018 Cisco Visual Networking Index (VNI) does not tell a new story, but it is one worth repeating-- by 2022 more IP traffic will cross global networks than all prior "internet years" combined up to the end of 2016.
For the curious, Cisco calculates more than 4.7 zettabytes of IP traffic have made their way across global networks since the internet officially came to life in 1984. And that amount will be superseded in a 5 year period! Furthermore, 60% of the global population will be on the internet by 2022, bringing about traffic from over 28 billion online devices. As for what users will actually use the internet for, it is telling that 82% of traffic will be dedicated to video.
“The size and complexity of the internet continues to grow in ways that many could not have imagined. Since we first started the VNI Forecast in 2005, traffic has increased 56-fold, amassing a 36 percent CAGR with more people, devices and applications accessing IP networks,” Cisco says. “Global service providers are focused on transforming their networks to better manage and route traffic, while delivering premium experiences. Our ongoing research helps us gain and share valuable insights into technology and architectural transitions our customers must make to succeed.”
In further predictions, the VNI says global IP traffic will reach 396 exabytes per month by 2022, up from the 122 exabytes per month of 2017, or 4.8 zettabytes per year by 2022. Busy internet traffic will grow with a 37% CAGR from 2017 to 2022, reaching 7.2 petabytes per second by 2022, while average internet traffic should grow with a 30% CAGR over the same period to reach 1 petabyte by 2022.
Average global fixed broadband speeds are forecast to reach 75.4Mbps, while wifi connection speeds will clock at 54Mbps. Average global mobile connections will also be faster, tripling from 8.7Mbps to 28.5Mbps. Such speeds will come in handy, since video and gaming traffic are set to grow exponentially from 2017 to 2022, as will virtual and augmented reality traffic.
In regional terms, W. European IP traffic will grow at a 22% CAGR during the 2017-2022 period, reaching 50 exabytes per month. CEE traffic will grow at a 26% CAGR to reach 25 exabytes per month, while MEA traffic will reach 21 exabytes per month at a 41% CAGR.
