Mobile Data Traffic Analysis

The Impact of Subscribers, Devices, and Wireless Protocols on Mobile Data Generation and Consumption

As cellular voice minutes and related revenues peak in developed markets, network operators have sought the next major growth opportunities. The addition of data services over mobile networks has blossomed from that revenue growth strategy into its own market. This study examines the non-voice, non-SMS/MMS messaging traffic transferred over mobile data networks.

This report describes the growth of traffic transferred over mobile data networks. It defines the market and technology issues, with particular emphasis on subscribers, devices and wireless protocols. In addition, it details the salient market trends and forecasts both regional and global traffic levels through 2014.

What Questions Does This Report Answer?

  • How much mobile data traffic is transferred in a specific geographic region or for the world?
  • What mobile data applications are driving the most traffic today and over the next several years?
  • What role do 2G/3G/4G wireless protocols play in the generation and transfer of mobile data traffic?
  • What types of devices will wireless subscribers use to send and receive mobile data?
  • How much data does an average wireless subscriber transfer in a month?
  • What issues does the mobile data network traffic market face in the coming years?

Who Needs This Report?

  • Mobile network operators
  • Managed service providers
  • Mobile device and consumer electronics manufacturers
  • Mobile processor and platform developers
  • Mobile network equipment vendors
  • Content developers
  • Content distribution networks

Table of Contents

Executive Summary: Total Mobile Network Data Traffic, Top-Line ForecastExecutive Summary: Total Mobile Network Data Traffic, Top-Line Forecast
Executive Summary: DriversExecutive Summary: Drivers
Executive Summary: InhibitorsExecutive Summary: Inhibitors
Executive Summary: Key FindingsExecutive Summary: Key Findings
Executive Summary: Strategic RecommendationsExecutive Summary: Strategic Recommendations

Section 1.
Executive Summary
1.1. Overview
1.2. Market Drivers
1.3. Market Inhibitors
1.4. Strategic Recommendations
1.5. Top-Level Forecast Summary

Section 2.
Market Issues
2.1. Mobile Data Traffic Analysis: Market Summary
2.1.1. Analysis: Definitely Happening
2.1.2. Analysis: Too Early to Call
2.1.3. Analysis: Not Happening Yet
2.2. Adoption Velocity Factors
2.2.1. Access to Mobile Data Services
2.2.2. Network Geographic Coverage
2.2.3. Number of Subscribers Using Mobile Data Services
2.2.4. Mobile Data Plan Variety
2.2.5. New Devices Leverage Mobile Broadband Networks
2.2.6. Cost of Data Plans
2.2.7. Frequency of Mobile Data Sessions
2.2.8. Size of Mobile Data Unit
2.3. Mobile Data Traffic Market Trends
2.3.1. Increased Data Utilization
2.3.2. Ongoing 2G/3G Expansion
2.3.3. Migration to 4G Wireless Protocols
2.3.4. Benefits from Multi-Technology Architectures
2.4. Mobile Data Services that Could Change Adoption and Traffic Levels

Section 3.
Technology Issues
3.1. Are Faster Networks the Answer?
3.2. The Impact of Increased Data Usage on Current Mobile Devices
3.3. Changes in Traffic Patterns
3.4. Data Whales Raise the Tide
3.5. Smartphone Usage Bifurcation
3.6. Paths for Managing Mobile Network Traffic
3.6.1. Move All Data Traffic to 3G and 4G Networks
3.6.2. Faster Mobile Data in the Uplink Direction
3.6.3. The Case for Wi-Fi and Femtocells

Section 4.
Market Forecasts
4.1. Methodology and Assumptions
4.1.1. Methodology
4.1.2. Assumptions
4.2. Published Data Sources
4.3. Traffic Metrics
4.4. Definitions: Devices, Wireless Protocols, and Traffic Types
4.4.1. Mobile Device Categories
4.4.2. Wireless Protocols
4.4.3. Mobile Data Traffic Types and Usage Scenarios
4.5. Regional Trends and Forecasts for Mobile Data Traffic
4.5.1. Western Europe
4.5.2. Eastern Europe
4.5.3. Middle East
4.5.4. Africa
4.5.5. North America
4.5.6. Latin America
4.5.7. Asia-Pacific
4.6. Trends and Forecasts for Mobile Traffic by Type
4.6.1. Analysis and Forecasts for Global Mobile Data Traffic by Application
4.6.1.1. Audio Streaming
4.6.1.2. Peer-to-Peer
4.6.1.3. Video Streaming and TV
4.6.1.4. VoIP
4.6.1.5. Web/Internet
4.6.2. By Device Type
4.6.2.1. Handsets
4.6.2.2. Modems and Routers
4.6.2.3. Embedded Computing
4.6.2.4. Consumer Electronics
4.6.3. Mobile Data Traffic Analysis by Wireless Protocol
4.6.3.1. 2G Handsets
4.6.3.2. 3G Handsets
4.6.3.3. 4G Handsets
4.6.3.4. 2G Modems and Routers
4.6.3.5. 3G Modems and Routers
4.6.3.6. 4G Modems and Routers
4.6.3.7. 2G Embedded Computing
4.6.3.8. 3G Embedded Computing
4.6.3.9. 4G Embedded Computing
4.6.3.10. 2G Consumer Electronics
4.6.3.11. 3G Consumer Electronics
4.6.3.12. 4G Consumer Electronics
4.6.4. Total Mobile Traffic

Section 5.
Company Directory

Section 6.
Acronyms
Table of Contents
Scope of Study
Sources and Methodology
Notes





Tables
  • Total Mobile Network Data Traffic, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Middle East, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Middle East, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Middle East, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, Middle East, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Audio Streaming, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Peer-to-Peer, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Video Streaming and TV, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, VoIP, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Web/Internet, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Handsets, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Modems/Routers, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Embedded Computing, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Consumer Electronics, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Average Monthly Consumed per Wireless Subscriber, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014

Charts
  • Total Mobile Network Data Traffic, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Western Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Eastern Europe, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Middle East, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Middle East, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Middle East, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Africa, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, North America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Latin America, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Traffic Type, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, Asia-Pacific, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Audio Streaming, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Peer-to-Peer, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Video Streaming and TV, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, VoIP, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Web/Internet, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Device Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Handsets, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Modems/Routers, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Embedded Computing, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Consumer Electronics, by Region, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, by Wireless Protocol, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 2G Handsets, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 3G Handsets, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 4G Handsets, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 2G Modems/Routers, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 3G Modems/Routers, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 4G Modems/Routers, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 2G Embedded Computing, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 3G Embedded Computing, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 4G Embedded Computing, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 2G Consumer Electronics, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 3G Consumer Electronics, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, 4G Consumer Electronics, by Traffic Type, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014
  • Mobile Network Data Traffic, Average Monthly Consumed per Wireless Subscriber, World Market, Forecast: 2008 to 2014