Panel: Challenges of mobile content and interpersonal communications in high demand scenario

Abstract

The increasing capabilities of mobile communication devices are changing the way people interconnect today. Similarly, almost ubiquitous connectivity is leading to the expectation that data and media are available everywhere and anytime. At the same time a trend towards more sophisticated audio-visual interpersonal communication can be observed (e.g. through applications such as WhatsApp, SnapChat, FaceBook, Twitter, Skype, etc.). This is resulting in an increasing load on communication networks. In dynamic mobile networks that particularly rely on wireless communication such data requirements paired with environmental conditions like mobility or node density increase the risk of capacity overload and network failure. This panel discusses the challenges and opportunities of mobile content and interpersonal communication in challenging environments characterised by for instance high demand scenarios (e.g. due to popular events such as rock concerts or football matches, or at transport & communication hubs) as well as in regions with under-provisioned infrastructures (e.g. rural areas).