Mobile voice versus data: the simple truth
Akamai released its Q4 2012 State of the Internet Report in April 2013, showing that mobile data growth is exponential, while voice traffic is flat.
According to the report, which uses insight from mobile vendor Ericsson, the volume of mobile data traffic doubled from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012.
Mobile data traffic grew by 28% between the third and fourth quarter of 2012, continuing the exponential growth seen over the last few years.
Mobile voice traffic continues to grow as well, though at a much slower rate, increasing 3% from the fourth quarter of 2011 to the fourth quarter of 2012.
The following graph shows mobile voice and data volumes as measured by Ericsson, which has a presence in more than 180 countries and a customer base representing more than 1,000 networks.
Total Monthly Mobile Voice and Data as Measured by Ericsson
Capacity battle for mobile operators
This massive growth in mobile data means that mobile operators have to continually upgrade their network to cope.
These upgrades include better radio networks (like LTE and HSPA+), higher transmission capacity and better national and international networks.
Mobile networks face one hurdle which is not easy to overcome – the need for more spectrum to grow its radio network capacity.
The Department of Communications (DoC) is dragging its feet on how it wants spectrum to be handed out, and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) may also be a hurdle for the incumbent operators.
ICASA councillor Marcia Socikwa recently said that the mobile operators have sufficient spectrum, and that they need to optimise their networks and improve quality of service.
These comments surprised industry players, who have been urging the regulator to hand out valuable spectrum which is currently unused.
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