Half-terabyte report: 4G mobile data usage is skyrocketing



In Q4 of 2018, we saw a 400% spike in mobile data usage. That’s absurdly high—and it’s the highest we’ve ever seen from any quarter. In fact, the increase was so significant that mobile data usage exceeded half a terabyte for the first time ever. How did we get here so fast? 4G networks. This blog post covers everything you need to know about Q4 2018 and how it relates to 4G networks and their impact on mobile data usage. Read on to learn what this means for your business and its network strategy moving forward.

 

What is 4G?

The 4G network is the next-generation telecommunications standard after 3G. In the U.S., AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint are the primary carriers for 4G services, which are based on Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and Global System for Mobile (GSM) technologies. Early 4G wireless networks were primarily mobile data networks, offering increased speed and capacity to accommodate the growing demand for the internet on smartphones and other mobile devices. Additionally, the introduction of 4G brought with it the ability to use a growing list of mobile applications and services, such as video conferencing, real-time video streaming, and video gaming.

 

Why 4G Matters for Businesses

While 4G has already made an impact on consumers, its adoption has been slower in the business and enterprise sectors. However, as the aforementioned data suggests, businesses are quickly transitioning to 4G networks. The adoption of 4G has been driven by a few key factors, including greater network capacity, reduced network latency, and more reliable service. With greater network capacity, businesses are experiencing faster speeds and a more consistent user experience. With reduced network latency, both employees and customers are experiencing shorter delays when accessing network resources. And with more reliable service, businesses are experiencing fewer service interruptions and outages. Beyond improved performance, 4G is also enabling new business-critical applications that require increased network capacity and speed. With greater capacity, businesses are able to support a greater number of users and devices on their networks while still experiencing the excellent performance. With greater speed, businesses are able to support those devices at a faster pace, which is critical for real-time applications.

 

How Much Data Did We Use in Q4?

As mentioned, the spike in mobile data usage in Q4 was 400%. That’s bananas, which is why we’re taking a closer look at the numbers. In Q4, businesses across the U.S. used 546 petabytes of data on 4G networks, compared to 57 petabytes on 3G networks. That’s an increase of 931%, compared to a 692% increase from Q3 to Q4. The increase in data usage has been consistent and significant. In fact, it has grown every quarter since 2013. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including the growing number of mobile devices and customers using those devices to access streaming services (like video services).

 
The Biggest Contributors to the Increase in Data Usage

There are a number of reasons why businesses are using more data, including the adoption of multiple devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, etc.) per user, increased access to business applications on those devices, and increased use of streaming services. However, the biggest contributor to the increase in data usage is 4G. As businesses transition to 4G networks, they are using more data, which is contributing to the significant spike in overall data usage we’ve seen in Q4.

 

Network Strategies Going Forward

Businesses should plan to see continued growth in data usage on 4G networks. With the expected migration to 5G still a few years away, businesses need to plan for this growth as it appears that it will only continue. First and foremost, businesses need to understand their network and how it will be impacted by greater data usage. They should review their network architecture, including their current network plan, and make any necessary adjustments to accommodate the expected growth in data usage. Beyond network architecture and capacity, businesses should plan for increased network costs. With greater data usage, businesses are likely to incur higher data charges from their carriers. To prepare for this, businesses should review their cost structure and make adjustments as necessary. Beyond network architecture, network capacity, and cost, businesses should plan for network resiliency and redundancy. Resiliency and redundancy are key for mitigating service interruptions and outages, especially as businesses are likely to see an increase in network traffic.

 

Conclusion

The growth in data usage we’ve seen in Q4 is significant, but it is not surprising. With the adoption of 4G networks, businesses are experiencing faster speeds, a more consistent user experience, and new business-critical applications. Beyond 4G, businesses should prepare for continued growth in mobile data usage by understanding their network, making adjustments, and implementing network resiliency and redundancy.

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