Mobile data traffic to grow 10-fold between 2011 and 2016

New report from Ericsson says mobile data traffic will grow 10-fold between 2011 and 2016, mainly driven by video. In the report, Ericsson also said that mobile broadband subscriptions grew by 60 percent in one year and are expected to grow from 900 million in 2011 to almost 5 billion in 2016.

By 2016, users living on less than 1 percent of the Earth’s total land area are set to generate around 60 percent of mobile traffic

In its new Traffic and Market Data report, which provides insights into current trends, Ericsson forecasts a 10-fold increase in mobile data traffic by 2016.

The report is based on measurements the company recorded over several years in live networks covering all regions of the world.

“Ericsson performs a broad range of measurements in order to monitor the pulse of the Networked Society – measurements that we use to efficiently design our products and plan networks.

This report offers snapshots that, together, show how a growing number of people and businesses benefit from mobility, broadband and the cloud,” Johan Wibergh, Head of Ericsson Business Unit Networks said.

According to the report, mobile broadband subscriptions will reach almost 5 billion in 2016, up from the expected 900 million by the end of 2011.That would represent 60 percent year-on-year growth, at the same time as the data consumed by smartphone users is surging. Total smartphone traffic is expected to triple during 2011.

Staff writer