Different users and different mobile smartphones show markedly different demands on mobile networks, reports Arieso.
There's a new breed of mobile subscribers with an even more insatiable appetite for mobile data than before. Users of the iPhone 4 use more data than the iPhone 3G. Android smartphone owners are heavy data consumers with Samsung Galaxy S users uploading 126% more data than iPhone 3G. Voice calling, however, is relatively flat.
The comparison between a variety of different smartphones and
connected devices - using the iPhone 3G as a benchmark - shows that data
call time on certain handsets can increase by as much as 250%. It also
shows that the actual number of data "calls" can increase by more than
130%. In addition, uplink and downlink data volumes can increase by as
much as 130% and 40% respectively.
The Arieso analysis compares the data consumption of users of newer
smartphones, such as the BlackBerry Bold 9700, the Google Nexus One, the
HTC Desire, the Sony Ericsson Xperia, and the Apple iPhone 4
against the iPhone 3G as a "normalized benchmark." The results show how
different subscribers use their devices in many different ways and
exhibit variable demands for mobile data.
"We'd like to make clear that the study does not indicate that any one device performs better or worse than another - this White Paper purely discusses user data consumption habits on a range of devices," Aveiso's PR rep emailed us.
In particular, the results show that iPhone 4 users are more hungry
for data than their iPhone 3G counterparts, typically making 44% more
data calls, downloading 41% more data to their devices, and spending 67%
more time connected to the network for data.
Arieso's analysis also show that users with handsets based on
Google's Android OS software are particularly "data hungry," scoring
higher than both the iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 in terms of data call
volumes, time connected to the network, and data volume (in kilobits per
subscriber) uploaded and downloaded.
Android-powered smartphone users also score highest in both the
"uplink data volume" and the "downlink data" categories. For example,
Samsung Galaxy users typically upload 126% more data than iPhone 3G
users, and HTC Desire users download 41% more data than iPhone 3G users.
But importantly, the Arieso studies also reveal that voice calls per
subscriber remain roughly flat, suggesting that the new breed of
smartphone subscribers use their devices first and foremost for data
consumption rather than making phone calls.
"Mobile operators are playing 'Guess Who?' with their subscribers.
The variations in data use between various devices highlight the
pressing need for a more accurate, in-depth and intelligent view into
the potential impact of individual handset users on the network,"
continued Flanagan. "Right now, operators struggle to see their network
as their customers see it, especially regarding performance and quality
of service within individual buildings. They are risking rising
operational costs, and delivering a sub-par quality of service to
customers. They must adopt a new, more precise approach to monitoring
and optimizing their networks."
Arieso has published the findings of its studies together with
in-depth analysis in its white paper "Emerging Smartphone Trends: The
Next Wave in the Data Tsunami."
About Arieso
Arieso has grown rapidly to become one the of world's leading
providers of customer centric network management software solutions that
enable operators to continuously and accurately direct investment to
meet the increasing demand for rapidly growing data services. A superior
alternative to outdated optimisation methods, the company's ariesoGEO
technology delivers location-aware subscriber information to quickly and
precisely boost network performance and enrich user experience. Arieso
delivers proven carrier grade solutions that are robust, reliable and
highly scalable. Clients include global Tier-1 operators and vendors,
such as MTN, O2, Telefonica, Vodafone, NSN, and Ericsson.