The biggest change in 3G+ and 4G networks, compared to their predecessors, is the amount of data they have to handle. That is not just about processing consumer data traffic, but supporting a huge increase in the intelligence of the network itself ‘ how it identifies different classes of data or subscribers, for instance, and matches them with appropriate services, tariffs and speeds (or offloads them). To deliver a strong mobile quality of experience, carriers need to handle rising tides of signalling, web and apps traffic, as well as prioritizing certain transactions and data types. Most agree that this challenge will be met by designing new networks around a far denser mesh of small cells, bringing the signal a great…