Ethereum would be using Sharding to solve its scalability, while dividing the network to shards to ease up node and quicken the transaction seems a good idea, we are still unknown about the risk it may bring. With division of network, the network would be more centralized and localized nodes can have a larger effect. But still it would depend on how well the developers implement it. I hope they'd go through extensive testing before making the network live.
For sure, they will make thorough testing on their network as people always talk if they are not satisfy with what is presented to them. But if they can implement this successfully, this will be another feat for the eth team. And I don't think Buterin would want to fail this project, he will do everything he's capable of to be successful on this target.