iPhoneCurrently, the average individual uses 1.72 GB of mobile data each month. This figure is set to increase to 5.07 GB by 2021.

giffgaff broke down these figures into the various areas that data is set to rise. They found that, worldwide, the largest increase will be in video streaming. Globally, mobile data usage for video streaming will have risen from 4,375,000 GB in 2016 to 38,148,326 GB by 2021. This astronomical rise is proof of the way the digital world is shaping and changing how people use their mobile phones.

giffgaff also found that there will be a substantial rise in the amount of data usage for a wide range of applications:

  • Web browsing will rise from 2,153,676 GB in 2016 to 6,000,004 GB by 2021.
  • Audio streaming will rise from 559,999 GB in 2016 to 2,674,183 GB by 2021.
  • Messaging will rise from 2,406,250 GB in 2016 to 20,981,579 GB by 2021.

MARGINALIA recently had the opportunity to discuss the rise of mobile data with Steve Pritchard, a Data Analyst at giffgaff.

Steve-1Pritchard said: “Businesses that rely on remote staff and pay for mobile phones will need to focus on data usage caps. Our research showed that only 8% of respondents ever went over their minutes or text allowances, so data limits should be the primary focus in any mobile phone contract.”

Pritchard added: “If their [workers/people who use mobile for work related purposes] data caps are not as fluid as their usage, then they will need to use their mobile data sparingly. This means utilising free wifi to help reduce mobile data usage as well as monitoring how they use their mobile phones.

“As data usage increases the demand for free wifi will also increase, so businesses could benefit from offering free wifi.”