A mobile broadband player is one of 700 SAP customers that are now relying on IBM's DB2 database software to handle heavy workloads while saving time and gaining greater performance.

The company, 3 UK, is dealing with explosive data growth on network systems due to new data services and increasing use of smartphones by customers. It wanted an analytic platform that can scale as needed and flexible to work with as new services and technologies come into play.

After reviewing various vendor options, 3 UK chose the IBM Smart Analytics System. The integrated software-hardware offering is now helping the broadband provider analyze network hotspots, detect potential congestion points and dropped calls due to network overload.

In addition 3 UK can also analyze call patterns and trends over various networks, which helps the provider meet business demand needs, says Darren Silvester, information management architect of 3 UK. And just as importantly the system provides insight on subscriber inactivity, which helps reduce churn.

It's a win-win for 3 UK and its business strategies, as well as 3 UK customers, which, like all mobile broadband users, expect more and seem to be demanding more from providers every day.