The pressure on networks is growing by the day. More devices, better connectivity and the arrival of 4G mean they're being pushed to the limits. Here's our guide to what the future looks like, and how businesses can adapt to cope better with the challenges.

1. The future of networks
Simplify your IT networks to ease the pressure

2. Network traffic
is on the increase
Global mobile data traffic
grew 70% in 2012.
Two-thirds of the
world's mobile data traffic
will be video by 2017.
Source: Cisco Visual Networking Index
Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2012–2017

3. And automated management
functions that allow you to
direct the traffic flows and get
everything where it needs to be.
You’ll need more bandwidth
to deal with the pressure

4. And then
there’s 4G…
4G connections already account for
14% of mobile data traffic.
Source: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2012–2017

5. Devices are on the
increase, too
IT managers expect to see a 25% increase in
devices on their networks by the end of 2013.
Source: Coleman Parkes research for O2, 2012

6. Devices are on the
increase, too
Nearly 40% of internet
access is via mobiles.
comScore 02/13
Two-thirds of all emails
are opened on a mobile device.
Knotice, Sept 2012

7. Managing devices is a lot easier if
you’ve got a single view of the whole
infrastructure, instead of a tangle of
different networks to look after.

8. Because it’s not just
the pressure from mobiles
By 2016, two-thirds
of all data centre traffic
will be cloud-based.
Cisco Global Cloud Index, October 2012
By 2016, more than half
of consumers will use digital
cloud services as their primary
form of storage for digital content.
Gartner, November 2012

9. Where are
networks heading?
85% of senior IT decision makers see
themselves moving to a fully consolidated
fixed, mobile, voice and data network.
Source: Coleman Parkes research for O2, 2012

10. When will it happen?
88% of those say it will happen within
the next 24 months.
Source: Coleman Parkes research for O2, 2012

11. What’s driving change?
Cost efficiencies
91% Business agility
Source: Coleman Parkes research for O2, 2012

13. Supplying the demand
On average, enterprises have 4.6 suppliers
for fixed, mobile, voice and data networks.
Source: Coleman Parkes research for O2, 2012
30% of UK IT departments
incorporated smartphone and tablet
management initiatives in their strategies.
Computer Weekly,
How to introduce bring-your-own-device schemes in the enterprise
April 2012

14. Managing supply
66% of IT managers say
that managing multiple
suppliers is a major challenge.
Source: Coleman Parkes research for O2, 2012

15. What’s the plan?
More than 93% are building
roadmaps for joining up their
communications networks.
Source: Coleman Parkes research for O2, 2012

16. Managing suppliers
can be time consuming
And if something goes wrong that
impacts more than one network,
it’s not just time
that’s at stake.

17. The simpler your network,
the better it supports
your business.

18. Fast, reliable data
connections
mean people can work flexibly
and remotely.

19. Consolidated voice and mobile networks
keep your employees in
touch and save you money.

20. Moving your landline voice services onto your
IP networks simplifies your
communications management
and saves you time.

21. Have a conversation.
Our network specialists can talk you
through the whole process of management,
optimisation and transformation.
Just give us a call on 01235 433 507

22. Remember:
Find out more:
o2.co.uk/enterprise/products-and-services/data-and-connectivity
or follow us @O2BusinessUK
• More people are connecting to business networks with their own devices
• Which means more pressure on your network
• And each device continues to access more data.
With 4G, this will increase dramatically
• Video conferencing and cloud IT and file management will put even
greater pressures on your networks
• Which means network management will become more of a challenge