After surpassing 3G networks in 2016, 4G networks will go on to capture two-thirds of data traffic by 2018, according to market intelligence firm ABI Research.<\/p>\n
This will be despite 4G\u2019s share of cellular subscriptions being at a meager 2.9% at the end of 2Q 2013.<\/p>\n
However, ABI Research believes that\u00a04G is\u00a0expected to account for slightly more than 20% of the total data consumed on mobile networks worldwide this year.<\/p>\n
4G data traffic will surge at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 82.2% between this year and 2018, it says.<\/p>\n
Underpinning this trend, according to ABI, is the aggressive LTE network deployment by wireless operators and the expanding portfolio of smartphones and tablets which are also falling in price.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese two factors work hand in hand to enable consumers to stream videos,\u201d said Ying Kang Tan, research associate at ABI Research.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlready, Verizon saw video accounting for 50% of its network traffic earlier this year. ABI Research believes global annual video consumption will soar at a CAGR of 60.6% to exceed 100 Exabyte in 2018.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite growing at the slowest rate, Internet surfing will still contribute to 27% of the data traffic consumed, the research firm said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe result is that the revenue generated from data traffic \u2013 excluding that from texting \u2013 will increase at a CAGR of 7.9% between 2013 and 2018,\u201d said Jake Saunders, practice director and VP, core forecasting.<\/p>\n
\u201cHowever, voice service revenue will still take up the bulk (52.7%) of the global total in 2018. Operators still need to improve their voice quality and not lose sight of this segment.\u201d<\/p>\n
African LTE pushes past obstacles<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n LTE still a product for the \u201chaves\u201d: Broadband Infraco<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Global LTE revenues set to reach $1 trillion<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n