In this paper, a method is proposed to enhance the traffic handling capacity of scale-free networks by closing or cutting some links between some large-degree nodes, for both local routing strategy and global shortest-path routing strategy. The traffic capacity of networks is found to be considerably improved after applying the link-closing strategy, especially in the case of global routing. Due to the strongly improved network capacity, easy realization on networks, and low cost, the strategy may be useful for modern communication networks.

• Received 3 February 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.76.037101