Thursday, 7 February 2013
2/7/13 at 9:47 AM by
North American mobile data users connected at an average of 2.6 Mbps in 2012 – and that rate will climb to 14.4 Mbps by 2017, according to a report issued yesterday from Cisco.North America had the highest average mobile data connection speed of all world regions, a phenomenon that most likely was driven by wide availability of 4G service. The global average mobile data connection speed was 526 kbps for 2012.
Huge growth in average mobile data connection speeds was one of 10 trends identified by Cisco in the company’s new Visual Networking Index: Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update, 2012-2017.
Other important trends and key data illustrating those trends included:
4G will drive much of the increase in average connection speed
4G connections represent slightly less than 1% of mobile connections today but they already account for 14% of mobile data traffic. By 2017 those numbers will climb to 10% and 45% respectively.
4G connections represent slightly less than 1% of mobile connections today but they already account for 14% of mobile data traffic. By 2017 those numbers will climb to 10% and 45% respectively.
Average traffic per device will climb
Driven in large part by increased video usage, the amount of data consumed monthly by smartphones will climb from 342 megabytes (MB) to 2,660 MB between 2012 and 2017, with 4G smartphones seeing a jump from 1,301 MB to 5,114 MB during the same period. Tablet data consumption will climb even more dramatically – from 2,503 MB monthly in 2012 to 5,731 MB monthly in 2017.
Driven in large part by increased video usage, the amount of data consumed monthly by smartphones will climb from 342 megabytes (MB) to 2,660 MB between 2012 and 2017, with 4G smartphones seeing a jump from 1,301 MB to 5,114 MB during the same period. Tablet data consumption will climb even more dramatically – from 2,503 MB monthly in 2012 to 5,731 MB monthly in 2017.
Mobile video will be the fastest growing mobile application
Between 2012 and 2017, mobile video will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 75% and will represent nearly two-thirds (66%) of mobile data traffic by 2017.
Between 2012 and 2017, mobile video will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 75% and will represent nearly two-thirds (66%) of mobile data traffic by 2017.
Traffic increasingly offloaded from mobile networks to fixed networks
In 2012, 33% of mobile data traffic was offloaded from cellular to Wi-Fi, femtocell and picocell networks. By 2017, that number will climb to 46%.
In 2012, 33% of mobile data traffic was offloaded from cellular to Wi-Fi, femtocell and picocell networks. By 2017, that number will climb to 46%.
Tiered pricing has minimized the usage gap between the highest-usage and lowest-usage customers
Over the past three years, the percentage of users on tiered plans climbed from 4% to 55% while the percentage of people on unlimited plans dropped from 81% to 45%. During the same period, the percentage of traffic generated by the top 1% of users dropped from 52% to 16%.
Over the past three years, the percentage of users on tiered plans climbed from 4% to 55% while the percentage of people on unlimited plans dropped from 81% to 45%. During the same period, the percentage of traffic generated by the top 1% of users dropped from 52% to 16%.
Substantial growth in machine-to-machine (m2m) connections and speeds
Global m2m modules will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 36% between 2012 and 2017, climbing from 369 million to 1.7 globally between 2012 and 2017. M2m traffic will see an even bigger increase, with an 89% CAGR during the same period. The big traffic jump will be driven by increased use of 3G and 4G modules.
Global m2m modules will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 36% between 2012 and 2017, climbing from 369 million to 1.7 globally between 2012 and 2017. M2m traffic will see an even bigger increase, with an 89% CAGR during the same period. The big traffic jump will be driven by increased use of 3G and 4G modules.
Devices are becoming more diverse
Cisco tracks six categories of mobile data devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, m2m devices, non-smartphones and other portable devices. Those categories will see average annual growth rates of 67.5%, 14%, 11.7%, 5.1%, 1.4% and .2%, respectively, between 2012 and 2017.
Cisco tracks six categories of mobile data devices, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, m2m devices, non-smartphones and other portable devices. Those categories will see average annual growth rates of 67.5%, 14%, 11.7%, 5.1%, 1.4% and .2%, respectively, between 2012 and 2017.
IPv6-capable mobile devices are becoming more prevalent
By 2017 Cisco forecasts that 41% of global mobile devices will be IPv6-capable, up from 14% in 2012. Percentages are and will continue to be higher among smartphones and tablets.
By 2017 Cisco forecasts that 41% of global mobile devices will be IPv6-capable, up from 14% in 2012. Percentages are and will continue to be higher among smartphones and tablets.
Video/communications and information are the most popular data apps for smartphones and tablets
Video/communications represents 45% and 50% of smartphone and tablet data consumption, respectively. The next most popular app is information, which represents 12% of smartphone and 17% of tablet data consumption. This is a based on an initial analysis of data Cisco has collected from mobile data users who have downloaded a free Cisco Data Meter. The company promised to build on this analysis in future VNI updates.
Video/communications represents 45% and 50% of smartphone and tablet data consumption, respectively. The next most popular app is information, which represents 12% of smartphone and 17% of tablet data consumption. This is a based on an initial analysis of data Cisco has collected from mobile data users who have downloaded a free Cisco Data Meter. The company promised to build on this analysis in future VNI updates.
Community College Cybersecurity Program Trains 21st Century Workforce
Advanced Technological Education program produces skilled workforce for the front lines of cyber defense
The stakes are high at Collegiate Cyber Defense Competitions (CCDC), where top-notch security professionals pose as computer hackers and try to break into simulated business computer networks--the kinds you'd find on Wall Street, in banks, hospitals, or even your home.
As the "bad guys" try to compromise computer systems, teams of students have to think like hackers and compete against each other to keep the attackers out. It's a great way for students to be noticed by potential employers, and it's great practice for what students are learning in class at the Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance (CSSIA) at Moraine Valley Community College, outside Chicago.
"Cybersecurity provides a great career path. There are thousands of different types of jobs out there," says Erich Spengler, CSSIA director.
With support from the National Science Foundation (NSF), CSSIA has become a national leader in cybersecurity education. The center provides hands-on, complex laboratory exercises and real-world learning experiences. In fact, some of the students are actually educators themselves. Since 2004, CSSIA has instructed more than 2,000 teachers and college faculty in cybersecurity-related areas.
NSF's support for CSSIA comes from the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program that is housed in the agency's Directorate for Education and Human Resources. The ATE program focuses on the education of technicians for the high-tech fields that drive the U.S. economy, and it places special emphasis on two-year colleges. Through the ATE program, institutions are able to bolster curriculum development and the professional development of college faculty and secondary school teachers, as well as develop career pathways to two-year colleges from secondary schools and from two-year colleges to four-year institutions.
"Community colleges can play a critical role in giving students the hands-on skills that are needed on the front lines (of) defending computer networks," explains NSF's Corby Hovis, program director for cybersecurity in the ATE program.
"CSSIA and the program's three other centers that focus specifically on cybersecurity education are preparing students for the workforce, as well as for more advanced study. There are so many opportunities in this area. There are cybersecurity-related jobs for students with a variety of skill levels and expertise, from associate degrees to Ph.D.," says Hovis.
In 2010, CSSIA was one of the first community colleges to receive the National Security Agency's (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security's new National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2-Year Education (CAE2Y) designation. The NSA established the National Centers program in 1998 and extended it to two-year colleges in 2010. The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerabilities in America's information infrastructure by promoting higher education in cybersecurity and producing well-qualified professionals to work in the field.
On this particular day at CSSIA, professor John Sands is showing his class the insides of a router. "Today we're going to start off covering routers and switches," announces Sands, who also chairs the Information Technology Department. "So, do we have a motherboard on a router? It almost looks like a PC, doesn't it?" he asks.
"Whether we're teaching a very entry-level class or whether we're showing the students how hardware and software work, we try to incorporate security as part of the curriculum." Sands explains.
The Virtualization Data Center at CSSIA is an online practice field of sorts, made up of simulated computers and networks that can be strung together in any number of configurations. Center Director Erich Spengler explains how he and other faculty members use this unique virtual environment to teach students how to keep computer networks buttoned up tight.
"This is a full functioning network," says Spengler, pointing to a computer screen filled with images that represent computers. "I'm on this machine here and going through a firewall; I'm scanning a different machine here. And I can look at what type of software might be running, as well as what types of ports are open, and doorways that might allow a hacker inside the system."
Students and faculty from other institutions can log in to the Virtualization Data Center for training from virtually anywhere. At Moraine Valley, students use it in class and to practice for cyber defense competitions.
The students who choose to specialize in cybersecurity come from all walks of life.
"I'm an electrican," says student Martin Lapinski, "but I've been forced to retool my career."
"I was in printing for 13 years and that industry was kind of dying," adds student Fabian Cambron.
Companies are partnering with Moraine Valley. "In a lot of cases,students are hired before they finish the program," says Spengler.
One partner, Dell SecureWorks, hired recent Moraine Valley graduate Carlos Marquez. "Oh, I love it," he says. "It's a great team, it's good people, good culture."
Spengler is proud to point to Marquez as an example for others. Marquez has a good job, his dream car, and at his next cybersecurity competition, he won't be a student playing defense--he'll be one of the cybersecurity pros creating the challenges to test the students' skills.
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Among the good news for ICT within this strategic initiative:
- Digital literacy is increasingly being acknowledged in Basic Skills discussions
- ICT/Digital Media has been acknowledged as a strategic sector for CCCs
- ICT/Digital Media was the 2nd most popular strategic sector selection by CCC Regional Consortia (behind Healthcare)
- A "Priority" sector for:
- the San Francisco/San Mateo, Silicon Valley and Santa Cruz subregions of the Bay Area Regional Consortium, and
- the Mother Lode subregion of the Central Regional Consortium.
- An "Emergent" sector selection for all other CCC Regional Consortia, except the Central Valley subregion of the Central Regional Consortium.
By MELISSA KORN, Wall Street Journal
Online-education provider Coursera is one step closer to academic acceptance, saying Thursday that the American Council on Education would recommend colleges grant credit for the successful completion of some of its free classes.
ACE, a higher-education industry group, has a network of about 2,000 schools that consider granting credit for nonclassroom programs, such as military or corporate training, based on its recommendations. Those schools "may be interested" in offering credit for the handful of MOOCs, "but we don't know," said Cathy A. Sandeen, an ACE vice president.Whether schools follow that suggestion remains unclear. Even the three institutions whose instructors teach those online courses—Duke University, University of Pennsylvania and University of California, Irvine—so far don't plan to award credit to students who complete the massive open online courses, known as MOOCs.
Coursera, which has amassed more than 2.5 million registered users across 217 classes, had asked the council in November to assess five of its offerings, in hopes that an ACE seal of approval would lead schools to further embrace MOOCs as legitimate vehicles for learning. (One Coursera class, not reviewed by ACE, was called off earlier this week due to technical problems.)
Udacity, another major MOOC provider, announced last month that it, too, is seeking ACE recommendations for four of its courses.
A handful of institutions already grant students credit for completing certain MOOCs, generally with additional coursework or assessments. Last month, San Jose State University teamed up with Udacity to award credit, for a fee, to students enrolled in three Udacity classes whether or not they were registered students at the California university.
But the idea of students cobbling together an entire degree from free Web courses, a prospect touted by some online-education evangelists, remains "kind of a silly nightmare," said Edward Rock, director of open course initiatives at University of Pennsylvania.
That school likens its single-variable calculus MOOC to an Advanced Placement course for high-school students. Enrolled Penn students who complete the online option can take a departmental exam to prove their knowledge and pass into higher-level math classes, just as they can after finishing an AP class.
Duke Provost Peter Lange said his school won't award credit to its own students or to others who enroll in its Bioelectricity and Genetics classes online, two of the Coursera options that ACE has recommended for credit. Though the classes are led by Duke professors, he said, "they're not taught the way we teach Duke courses" because they don't have a set meeting time, nor do they involve face-to-face instruction.
Duke isn't opposed to all online education. The school has teamed up with a handful of other colleges to launch credit-bearing courses on 2U Inc., another online-course platform. Students at the schools can receive credit from any of the participating classes.
Some college administrators say it's difficult to verify that students learned anything in MOOCs—few students even complete them—but Coursera and rivals Udacity and edX are rolling out proctored exams and web-based authentication tools to assess student performance.
But money may be the real deciding factor. Elite universities offering MOOCs have a major financial incentive to limit academic credit only to registered, paying students—and not those following along free online. Undergraduate tuition and required fees at Duke and Penn top $40,000 this school year, while out-of-state students pay nearly $37,000 at Irvine.
Write to Melissa Korn at melissa.korn@wsj.com
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
Electronic Frontier Foundation
The Washington Post boldly led a front-page story last weekend with the claim: "The federal government wants to create super WiFi networks across the nation, so powerful and broad in reach that consumers could use them to make calls or surf the Internet without paying a cellphone bill every month."
Let's get one thing straight: the government is not creating its own "super WiFi network", but its plans will indeed make awesome new WiFi networks possible. Technically, what the FCC is actually trying to do is increase the amount of open spectrum that is available for WiFi networks of all sorts—and for other "unlicensed" uses. This is a very good idea. Increasing the amount of unlicensed spectrum will lead to better functioning routers, tablets, laptops, and smartphones—and to a host of other new products in the marketplace. It will enhance the quality and supply of extremely useful open wireless networks, but it will also increase the quality of (somewhat less efficient) password-locked WiFi networks as well.
Leaving spectrum open was a necessary historical step for the creation of WiFi in the first place: all of the popular 802.11 devices and standards we use at home, work, and other places—as well as new high-value "wireless ISPs" (WISPs)—only exist because there is some unlicensed spectrum that they can squeeze into. But it's a portion (the "amateur" section of this chart). Much more of the spectrum has been auctioned off, and while privatized spectrum can be useful, it currently appears to produce much less benefit in terms of utility and innovative products per megahertz than the unlicensed portions. Increasing the amount of open spectrum available for new products to use is likely to produce comparable gains in the future.
In short, the Post was correct to claim that more open spectrum will allow for more efficient wireless networks that would improve the quality of VOIP and video conferencing systems, as well as enable cool new gadgets that do things we haven't even thought of yet.
Despite the obvious gains for innovation, Congressional Republicans are opposing the FCC's plan on behalf of the telecom industry. Instead, they want more auctions, a process by which the government would hand out monopolies on the last remaining scraps of the spectrum. While this earns the government money in the short term (the 2008 auction raised $19 billion), the long-term harms to innovation would be much greater.
Spectrum Auctions Hurt Users and Harm Innovation
Spectrum auctions are very tax-like in the sense that they transfer resources from individuals and companies in the marketplace into the coffers of the federal government. Put simply: if spectrum is open, you can develop around it for free. If spectrum is auctioned to a single company, said company will pass that investment cost—plus a hefty markup—on to its customers via an expensive cellular or wireless data plan. These auction dynamics and limited competition have led to US citizens paying twice as much for their cell phones as people in the rest of the developed world.
While telecom companies claim that such monopolies incentivize them to invest in their own infrastructure, the question becomes: are consumers and network users actually getting more benefit per megahertz from the expensive, auctioned-off spectrum, or from the small amount of free spectrum that is currently left over for wireless networks and other uses that are not centrally planned?
It turns out that the answer often sides with unlicensed uses: open spectrum is currently used more efficiently than spectrum that has been auctioned off. Why?
From an economic perspective, it seems that unlicensed spectrum has simply allowed for more productive technology. A recent working paper by Harvard's Yochai Benkler concluded that in eight major wireless markets—from broadband to healthcare to payments—open wireless technologies proved to be dominant. Opening the white spaces will straightforwardly allow indviduals and firms to build better networks and make better use of the spectrum.
As Public Knowledge's Harold Feld notes in a particularly excellent 2011 article titled "Why The Proposed "Unlicensed Auction" Is Such A Phenomonally Bad Idea -- The Economics":
Licensing encourages the licensee to maximize the profitability of the spectrum... This is why there are only a handful of large licensed network operators and several dozen smaller providers. By contrast, there are several thousand wireless ISPs using unlicensed spectrum to provide broadband in rural areas unprofitable for wireless providers. In addition, there are tens of thousands of coffee shops, hotels, and other establishments offering wifi. Hundreds of manufacturers put wifi – or other protocols using the unlicensed bands -- into everything from printers to refrigerators.
We agree with Feld, although his estimates of the number of users of open spectrum are probably an order of magnitude too low.
While licensed spectrum provides certain benefits (for example, shielding from network interference), unlicensed spectrum allows for greater utilization and scaling. Almost every Internet user utilizes WiFi or devices from manufacturers who have benefited from the ready availability of WiFi. Such low barriers promote innovation and drive down costs. A Stanford paper commissioned by Google also delves into the immense economic and technological benefits of unlicensed spectrum, focusing on the development of WiFi as a prime example of the unforeseen gains that are fostered by available spectrum.
From a more technical perspective, the wireless routers we install in our homes and offices are closer together, allowing them to operate at lower power and with correspondingly greaterarea spectral efficiency. The decentralized architecture of wireless routers scattered everywhere is more efficient than the phone companies' use of comparatively centralized long-range cell towers. 1
Conclusion
The most prudent spectrum policy calls for a healthy balance of open and privately managed bands, because different stewardship models may work better for different generations of technology or application types. But at the moment, there is a problematic imbalance away from openness. Having more open spectrum networks will allow WiFi (whether that's open WiFi, locked networks, or paid-for hot spots) to be faster, longer range, and more reliable; will allow more WISPs that offer low cost point-to-point Internet access; and will allow companies to innovate in ways that we haven't even anticipated yet. We agree with the Washington Postand the FCC: from here, open is the way to go.
Hiring driven by IT executives who are trying to change their organizations in response to business needs
Computerworld - WASHINGTON - Tech employment posted a large increase last month, despite a generally soft employment gain overall, according to two separate reports.
The U.S. economy added 157,000 jobs in January, but IT accounted for 22,100 of those jobs, according to Foote Partners, an IT labor analyst and research firm.
Industry group TechServe Alliance, which also calculates month-to-month changes in tech hiring, put the January increase at 15,800 jobs, or 0.37% sequential growth.
Of the total number of jobs added to the economy last month, tech hiring contributed 14% or 10% of this total, depending on which estimates are used.
TechServe put the overall IT workforce, excluding manufacturing, at 4.3 million. Some of last month's gains may reflect the annual rebenchmarking by the Labor Department, the group said.
David Foote, the CEO of Foote Associates, said January accounts for the largest monthly hiring increase that the firm has seen in five years.
Foote said IT jobs have been on a sustained growth run since last February, with 132,300 IT jobs added since then.
Momentum may be at work. Foote reports that the average monthly IT jobs gains in the last three months of 2012 exceeded the average in the first nine months of last year by 350 jobs per month.
He said the hiring is being driven by IT executives who are trying to change their organizations in response to business needs.
Absent a repeat of the 2008 market crash, Foote expects the hiring trend to continue because of some fairly solid fundamentals, "having to do with the role of technology and information in allowing an employer to be competitive in the marketplace, to maintain and increase revenues, to be more profitable, to grow market share, or to keep their customers satisfied."
Patrick Thibodeau covers cloud computing and enterprise applications, outsourcing, government IT policies, data centers and IT workforce issues forComputerworld. Follow Patrick on Twitter at 
@DCgov or subscribe toPatrick's RSS feed 
. His e-mail address ispthibodeau@computerworld.com.
@DCgov or subscribe toPatrick's RSS feed . His e-mail address ispthibodeau@computerworld.com.
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