Jan 2, 2018   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Mobile Data Traffic Surges 115% in Q3 2017 says Strategy Analytics

BOSTON, Jan. 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Mobile data traffic growth reached a six-year high in Q3 2017, increasing 115% globally year on year, according to Strategy Analytics' latest Wireless Operator Performance Benchmarking database and accompanying report "Reliance Jio, China Unicom, Vodafone Driving Accelerated Mobile Data Traffic Growth in Q3 2017". India and China accounted for half of all traffic growth globally, with Jio's continued disruption in India, and strong growth in unlimited data plans in China driving both of those markets. In Europe, Vodafone has enjoyed healthy early traction for its zero-rated Passes.

Click here for the database and report: https://www.strategyanalytics.com/access-services/service-providers/service-providers-strategies/market-data/report-detail/wireless-operator-performance-benchmarking-q3-2017 and https://www.strategyanalytics.com/access-services/service-providers/service-providers-strategies/reports/report-detail/reliance-jio-china-unicom-vodafone-driving-accelerated-mobile-data-traffic-growth-in-q3-2017

Other key findings of the report include:

    --  Reliance Jio was carrying more data traffic than any mobile operator
        globally within six months of launch, but its disruptive impact on the
        market has meant profitable traffic growth has been hard to find;
    --  Unlimited plans have driven accelerated traffic growth in China, up 166%
        year-on-year in Q3 2017, and have generated a healthy recovery in both
        service revenue and EBITDA;
    --  Vodafone had 8 million customers using Passes by the end of September,
        with a positive impact on ARPU and usage. It has delivered 2.6x growth
        in traffic in Europe over the last two years with near-flat OPEX.

Phil Kendall, report author and Director, Service Provider Group, commented, "It is encouraging to see more success stories from operators using unlimited or zero-rated pricing to unlock growth in both revenue and profitability. The success of China Unicom's unlimited plans and collaborations with local Internet giants highlights the importance of partnering with content providers to add value to data plans."

Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, Director, Service Provider Strategies, added: "Operators need to evaluate both their market environment and customer segment priorities when contemplating unlimited plan options. We applaud Vodafone's strategy to focus on more targeted and segmented market offers in Europe, addressing discrete demand for messaging, music and video services within those segments."

About Strategy Analytics

Strategy Analytics, Inc. provides the competitive edge with advisory services, consulting and actionable market intelligence for emerging technology, mobile and wireless, digital consumer and automotive electronics companies. With offices in North America, Europe and Asia, Strategy Analytics delivers insights for enterprise success. www.StrategyAnalytics.com

European Contact: Phil Kendall, +44 1908 423 620, pkendall@strategyanalytics.com

US Contact: Susan Welsh de Grimaldo, +1 617 614 0724, swelshdegrimaldo@strategyanalytics.com

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mobile-data-traffic-surges-115-in-q3-2017-says-strategy-analytics-300576483.html

SOURCE Strategy Analytics