Handset data traffic is expected to grow at a faster rate over the next five years to reach over 21 exabytes per annum by 2017, according to a report from the Strategy Analytics.
According to the report, the data traffic is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32% from 5 exabytes per year in 2013.
Strategy Analytics apps and media executive director David MacQueen said that the data traffic has been almost doubling annually as smartphone penetration has increased and compelling media services have launched.
"As developed markets mature we expect a slowdown in traffic growth to a 32% compound annual growth rate from 2012 onward, but this nonetheless sees carriers forced to find novel ways to handle huge volumes of traffic which will rise from 5 exabytes of data per year to over 21 exabytes per annum by 2017," MacQueen said.
Strategy Analytics wireless networks and platforms service director Susan Welsh de Grimaldo said that more and more mobile carriers are concerned about cost effective delivery of a good mobile video experience on smartphones over 3G, 4G and WiFi.
"More critically, carriers are asking how to monetise this growth in video traffic to profit from major investments made in LTE and other network upgrades," Grimaldo added.
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