Data-Hungry 4G Users Gorge on Wi-Fi, Report Finds

As you would expect, consumers with fast 4G cellphones consume considerably more mobile data than those with older 3G devices. But contrary to some suggestions, they also use Wi-Fi far more too, according to a new report.

Silicon Valley-based Devicescape Software Inc. found that users of 4G, or LTE [Long Term Evolution] as it is known, not only consume 2.1 times more mobile data per month than other smart devices, but they also consume twice as much Wi-Fi data too.

The findings differ from a report last month by U.K. network operator EE Limited. In a survey of its LTE customer base it found that 23 per cent of its users said they were using their home broadband less since the switch to LTE.

A spokesman for EE said its survey was a qualitative survey in which 1,000 EE customers were asked of their perceptions of how their consumption habits had changed. He also said that it related only to U.K. consumers.

Devicescape’s data was compiled from tens of millions of registered Android devices that either have Devicescape’s Curator Client, deployed by mobile operators, or Devicescape’s DataSaver App installed by users and measured actual data consumption by network. The six-month study ran from March to August of 2013 and comprised 80% of users in the U.S. Data was drawn from about 15 LTE networks globally.

David Nowicki, chief marketing officer at Devicescape, said 4G users use their mobile device about 40-50% more than 3G users, and consume richer content.

But explaining the increase in Wi-Fi traffic, he said: “In looking at studies of consumer behavior, when people have something that is faster and more consistent, they are likely to have a good experience; they are likely to rely on it more. Their behavior changes.”

“For us it is not that surprising that it spills over Wi-Fi. You just use it [your device] in more places.”

The findings are yet more evidence of the continuing growth of the importance of mobile devices and, in particular, the significance that high-speed 4G networks have in stimulating growth in rich mobile applications.

According to a report by the GSMA, the body that represents mobile operators worldwide, the end of 2012 LTE to date accounted for less than 1% of total connections in Europe in contrast to the U.S., where 11% of connections are already LTE devices.