Internet could 'run out of capacity' by 2012

Posted on 21 Nov 2008 at 19:43

The internet set to run out of capacity in two to four years, a newly published report has claimed.

The study, carried out by research firm Nemertes, points to a fast increasing strain on the internet's infrastructure which it dubs an "exaflood".

This exaflood, or exponential explosion of online content, results largely from new applications, video and increasingly heavy web use. It is already causing slower responses and time outs - and ultimately may trigger an 'innovation slowdown', according to the study. The research shows that the US will be hit the hardest by the problem, but it will have a knock-on effect to the rest of the world.

"We still project demand to exceed capacity at the access layer of the internet by 2012, and the situation is slightly worse than we originally projected," said Dr. Mike Jude, senior analyst at Nemertes Research.

The financial investment required to bridge the gap between demand and capacity in the US ranges from £28 billion to £37 billion, which will be spent primarily on broadband access capabilities.

Bruce Mehlman, co-chair of Internet Innovation Alliance, said: "It's more important than ever to develop a National Broadband Strategy that will encourage investment and innovations that accelerate America's global competitiveness and address major national challenges, such as energy efficiency, health care cost and quality educational opportunity."

Author: Robert Jaques

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