The Internet moved approximately one exabyte of data, one billion gigabytes, in 2000. Mobile Internet usage alone saw 30 exabytes of data moved in 2014.
By 2019, mobile Internet traffic will move about 24 exabytes each month, according to a Cisco forecast that states mobile data will grow tenfold over a five-year period starting in 2014, boasting a compound annual growth rate of 57 percent each year.
And, in just a year's time, the average connection speed for mobile devices will surpass 2 Mbps, Cisco expects. Smartphones, which may finally drop the "smart" label, will account for three fourths of mobile data traffic and tablets will consume about 10 percent.
"Throughout the forecast period, we see that the device mix is getting smarter with an increasing number of devices with higher computing resources, and network connection capabilities that create a growing demand for more capable and intelligent networks," states Cisco.
As 4G becomes the most common type of cellular data and WiFi evolves into the most used source for mobile Internet the 4G speeds in a few short years will be about four times faster than what's available today.
"The explosion of mobile applications and phenomenal adoption of mobile connectivity by end users on the one hand, and the need for optimized bandwidth management and network monetization on the other, is fueling the growth of global 4G deployments and adoption," states Cisco.
Video already accounts for about half of mobile data traffic. By 2019, video is expected to account for about three fourths of all mobile Internet traffic.
"The next five years are projected to provide unabated mobile video adoption," states Cisco in a report. "Backhaul capacity must increase so mobile broadband, data access, and video services can effectively support consumer usage trends and keep mobile infrastructure costs in check."
To attain the 2019 data and network speed expectations, telecommunications companies will have to offer users more portability and interoperability, Cisco says. Mobile devices need to to be able to connect to networks transparently to enhance the multimedia services that will drive mobile data usage forward.
"The expansion of the wireless presence will increase the number of consumers who access and rely on mobile networks, creating a need for greater economies of scale and lower cost per bit," states Cisco.
