Mobile Data Traffic to grow 10 times by 2016

Global mobile data traffic is expected to grow ten-fold to touch 5 billion in 2016 on account of ever increasing demand in mobile video, an internal survey by Ericsson revealed.

The report is based on measurements which the company recorded over several years in live networks covering all regions of the world.

The 'Traffic and Market data' report of the Swedish company predicts that the mobile broadband subscriptions will reach almost 5 billion in 2016, up from the expected 900 million by the end of 2011.With and year on year growth of 60 percent, while the total smartphone traffic is expected to triple during 2011.

''This report offers snapshots that show how a growing number of people and businesses benefit from mobility, broadband and the cloud," said Johan Wibergh, head of Ericsson business on the report.

''Across all devices, internet access will continue to drive mobile traffic development and mobile data traffic is expected to grow by nearly 60 percent per year between 2011 and 2016, mainly driven by video,'' the report added.

The report even forecasts that traffic generated by advanced smartphones will increase 12 times by 2016.