Power Users Drive Worldwide Internet Broadband Bandwidth Demand, According to Research from IDC

FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the world's ravenous appetite for online data continues to grow, Internet-generated broadband traffic will increase approximately 50% year over year on fixed networks and double on mobile networks. According to new research from International Data Corporation (IDC), both fixed and mobile traffic volumes are driven by power users that are gorging themselves on a disproportionate amount of bandwidth, a practice that has some network administrators reaching for the Pepto-Bismol.

“Despite enormous growth projected in IDC's forecast, it is difficult to overestimate this phenomenon. Fixed and mobile operators will have to deal with a new reality that will tax network resources to the limit —and perhaps past the limit.”

IDC forecasts that end-user demand for worldwide wireline and mobile broadband traffic will increase from 9,665 petabytes per month in 2010 to a jaw-dropping 116,539 petabytes per month in 2015. Web browsing, peer-to-peer file sharing, audio/video streaming, and a host of other applications are all driving bandwidth consumption. "The enormous growth in end-user demand for both fixed and mobile broadband services is staggering," said Matt Davis, director of Consumer and SMB Telecom Services. "Despite enormous growth projected in IDC's forecast, it is difficult to overestimate this phenomenon. Fixed and mobile operators will have to deal with a new reality that will tax network resources to the limit —and perhaps past the limit."

Bandwidth usage strongly correlates with the availability of faster broadband speeds. This trend can be seen when comparing networks within countries and more widely from region to region. This tells us that capacity and usage are interwoven, and that increasing capacity will ultimately lead to the adoption of new services and greater use. The relationship between availability and usage is important when considering the question of how much bandwidth is enough.

Additional findings from IDC's bandwidth research include the following:

• HD video content will drive a new level of bandwidth demand, with more than 50% of video and audio streaming destined for a connected TV (either directly or indirectly), an iPad, or another mobile device or tablet.
• In North America, the ratio between upstream and downstream traffic continues to be strongly represented by downstream traffic, typically at a 10:1 ratio in favor of downstream, but sometimes much more.
• While Web browsing represents a declining share of traffic across the globe, despite more mobile Internet-enabled devices, there is a more pronounced decline in Europe and Asia/Pacific. Service providers need to deliver more bandwidth, as this growth is necessary to spur new service usage and drive new subscriptions and revenue.

The IDC study, Worldwide Internet Broadband Bandwidth Demand 2012–2015 Forecast (IDC #232596), measures the past and current volume of global broadband-generated Internet traffic and creates a five-year forecast projecting end-user bandwidth demand. In this forecast, both fixed and mobile traffic is measured and forecast for North America, Asia/Pacific, Western Europe, Latin America, and the rest of the world.

To purchase this study, please contact IDC Sales at 508-988-7988 or [e-mail].

About IDC

International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based decisions on technology purchases and business strategy. More than 1,000 IDC analysts provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. For more than 48 years, IDC has provided strategic insights to help our clients achieve their key business objectives. IDC is a subsidiary of IDG, the world's leading technology media, research, and events company. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.

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