Study maps network of 7 million cell phone users

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(Left) A complete mobile communication network sample. (Center) When the weak ties are removed a phase transition occurs which turns the global network into a collection of unconnected islands. (Right) When the strong ties are removed global connecti ...
(Left) A complete mobile communication network sample. (Center) When the weak ties are removed, a phase transition occurs which turns the global network into a collection of unconnected “islands.” (Right) When the strong ties are removed, global connectivity is maintained. Image credit: Onnela, et al.
Scientists have constructed a map of a societal communication network based on the mobile phone usage of 7 million individuals during a span of 18 weeks. As the first study to have access to a large amount of direct data of cell phone calls, the results show a counterintuitive requirement of weak ties rather than strong ties to maintain the integrity of a global network. In fact, the scientists found that removing these fragile weak ties can cause a global network to collapse.


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