Mobile traffic: voice versus data
Akamai released its Q2 2013 State of the Internet Report on 16 October 2013, revealing that mobile data continues to show exponential growth while mobile voice is only showing moderate growth.
The Akamai State of the Internet report uses insight from mobile vendor Ericsson, which has a presence in more than 180 countries, and its customer base represents more than 1,000 networks.
This significant reach enables Ericsson to measure mobile voice and data volumes across the globe.
The result is a representative base for calculating world total mobile traffic in 2G, 3G, and 4G networks (not including DVB-H, WiFi, and Mobile WiMax).
Big data growth, moderate voice growth
The volume of mobile data traffic almost doubled from the second quarter of 2012 to the second quarter of 2013. Mobile data further grew by 14% between the first and second quarter of 2013.
Mobile voice traffic also continued to grow as well, but at a slower rate. Voice traffic increased 5% from the second quarter of 2012 to the second quarter of 2013.
Mobile voice and data traffic
The need for more spectrum
In mobile networks the access medium (spectrum) is being shared by different users in the same cell.
“It is important to understand traffic volumes and usage patterns in order to enable a good customer experience,” the report states.
The continued growth in data usage means that mobile operators have to increase their network capacity.
Increased capacity be achieved in a few ways – increasing the number of towers, using better technology, or using more spectrum.
The operators are already using the latest technologies, and increasing the number of towers is costly (these costs will be passed on to consumers).
The best option for government and the regulator is to provide the mobile operators with more spectrum. This will assist them to increase capacity, improve network quality, and even lower prices.
More on mobile broadband and networks
South Africa’s broadband crossroads
Telkom Mobile LTE – 200Mbps demo
Better network, better prices from Vodacom
Loading ...