In North America, video and audio streaming make up more than half of mobile data traffic, according to a report released today from Sandvine, provider of analytic tools for broadband networks. The report, titled “Global Internet Phenomena Report 1H2012,” was based on selected data from Sandvine’s 200-plus customers around the world.
Audio and video streaming will exceed 60% of North America’s mobile data by late 2014, predicts Sandvine, which found that North America’s video and audio streaming traffic is led by YouTube, Pandora and Netflix.
Aiming to reveal “facts, fads and future trends” regarding mobile networks, other highlights of Sandvine’s latest report include:
- YouTube is the largest source of mobile video traffic in every region examined, accounting for as much as 25% of network data and no less than 12%
- Instant messaging applications like WhatsApp continue to enjoy widespread adoption while eating into SMS revenue; for example, on an Asian mobile network serving one million subscribers, an average of 7.6 million WhatsApp messages were sent per day
- Home roaming accounts for 9% of total fixed traffic on North America’s household networks
- Click-to-cloud smartphone photo back-up and synchronization will emerge as a significant source of traffic worldwide
“Aggregate reports like our Global Internet Phenomena shed light on the Internet as a whole and inform operators on trends relevant to their business,” commented Sandvine executive Dave Caputo. “However, the real value for our customers is to take an internal census of data and trends on their own networks. Armed with detailed network data we work with our customers to develop tailored service offerings, traffic policies and usage plans.”
The full report is available free for download with registration on Sandvine’s website.
