Mobile video can really put a strain on networks. AT&T recently capped it's data plans while Verizon continues to offer unlimited data. Verizon's latest large screen phone the well-reviewed Droid X, offers users on-demand BlockBuster video, with Droid X owners using five times more data than other Verizon phone users. A report from Bytemobile shows how video affects network resources and how people make video choices.
Bytemobile's latest 2010 Mobile
Minute Metrics report looked at video
usage on network bandwidth. They found that the most popular peak time
for video viewing is 10:00pm, there's stalling on even fast networks,
users prefer lower quality video to avoid stalling, optimization rules,
and YouTube is the top video source. T
The top video resolutions are 176 x 144 - 480 x 360 x with 60.9% and 480 x 360 -
640 x 480 with 34%. Click on chart above to see video types.
Here's what Bytemobile found.
- Mobile video consumption peaks around 10:00 p.m., at which
point networks experience the most congestion and users experience the
most video stalling. - Stalling occurs on the fastest of networks, underscoring the
probability that not even next-generation network technology will be
sufficient to satisfy user demand for data services. - Mobile users opt for lower-quality videos to avoid stalling and enjoy a better media experience.
- Optimization significantly reduces video stalling, thereby noticeably improving the user experience.
- YouTube accounts for 36% of the total video traffic on
wireless networks worldwide. Adult content and 'long tail' internet
content account for the rest.
To download the 2Q 2010 Mobile Minute Metrics report, please click here.