More bandwidth for data: Providers need to expand their backbones

Faster internet, better voice connections, innovative mobile applications through 5G. Higher capacity for data flow in networks is something almost everyone wants nowadays, from private users to large enterprises—and preferably immediately. What is sometimes overlooked in the context of network expansion: it is by no means just about upgrading the “last mile,” which is often the main focus—such as laying modern lines directly into consumers’ homes. The required performance can only be ensured if the core network of telecommunications providers (Internet Service Providers, ISPs) is expanded at the same time. This is also referred to as the “backbone” and consists, for example, of fiber optic connections with very high data transmission rates that providers operate between their major nodes. These backbones essentially handle long-distance traffic on the data highway before the data takes the “exit” and heads toward the last mile to the consumer. However, while the expansion of physical roads has strict limits, continuous growth is required in the data core network. This is because data volume is known to increase exponentially in the age of digitalization. To ensure that the infrastructure backbone of networks can handle this explosive growth, providing additional bandwidth is a continuous task for the experts at Sinnwell and their customers.

Example: the coronavirus shock

How critical sudden surges in demand can be for networks was recently demonstrated dramatically by the coronavirus crisis. The shift to working from home during lockdown made daily video conferences—often with multiple participants—routine for many employees. At the same time, as people spent more leisure time at home, demand for entertainment such as media streaming also rose rapidly. This created enormous challenges for ISPs, especially in the early phase, as data volumes suddenly exceeded their forecasts. To prevent network overload, major streaming providers even responded by lowering the available quality of their content and reducing data volumes, for example by foregoing 4K resolution. However, such measures can only provide temporary relief. In the long run, only expansion helps.

More bandwidth for everyone

To make this expansion as efficient as possible, the network specialists at Sinnwell support ISPs in bandwidth provisioning from A to Z. Their range of services covers the entire spectrum of tasks: planning and managing the technical expansion of network infrastructure, documentation in appropriate tools, and commissioning by qualified personnel. It’s not only about connecting sites of all kinds within a network, but also about data exchange with other ISPs, major streaming providers (Netflix, Amazon, etc.), and internet giants such as Google or content delivery specialists like Akamai. Expanding the core network can achieve considerable growth rates. For example, Sinnwell was able to increase a customer’s network bandwidth by 30 percent within just one year. At the end of 2019, the network capacity was 9.3 terabits per second (Tbit/s). By the end of 2020, after expansion, it reached 12.1 Tbit/s. The “small” numbers before the unit should not be misleading: one terabit equals one trillion bits (1,000,000,000,000). At a typical data rate of 15 megabits per second (Mbit/s) for streaming an HD movie, 12 Tbit/s would correspond to 800,000 simultaneous HD movie streams. That is an enormous amount, which may soon be put into perspective as high-resolution 4K content becomes the standard. Such content requires significantly higher data rates of up to 85 Mbit/s. All the more reason for network experts to continuously push forward bandwidth provisioning. Because an end to global data growth is not in sight for the foreseeable future.

Are you interested in our services in the field of networking, expansion, and backbone infrastructure? If you would like to learn more about this service or our other core competencies, feel free to contact our specialists.