Actix study into iPad and smartphone usage on 3G networks reveals the way we use mobile devices is changing

Mobile phones are not mobile - majority of smartphones and iPads are used indoors. iPads account for 4 times more traffic than an average 3G device

London April 30, 2012 – The vast majority of mobile traffic from smartphones and tablets comes from indoor usage, a study from Actix has found. By analyzing data from a live 3G network in a major city, the mobile network analytics and optimization specialist has found that only 5% of iPads are used outdoors and whilst iPads account for just 1% of data sessions, they use four times more data than an average 3G device.

Using its Customer Experience Analytics solution, Actix studied live traffic, monitoring the location of key devices and the network load they generated. Key findings from the study were:

• iPads account for less than 1% of all data sessions but make up over 4% of total traffic
• 95% of iPad usage is indoors
• 90% of traffic from the iPhone 4 and 80% from Blackberry devices is from indoor use

“It’s fascinating to see how modern mobile devices are changing the way mobile networks are being used. However, it is only by studying live traffic data that operators can understand the implications for their network plans,” said Bill McHale, CEO of Actix.

"These findings show that highly localized indoor data hotspots are the new norm”, said Richard Kateley Actix’s CTO. “Addressing this demand often requires small cell and HetNet solutions – but to deploy them successfully operators need to quantify the exact nature and location of demand – this is where Actix comes in”. Actix’s Customer Experience Analytics solution enables operators to understand in granular detail the demands placed on their networks by smartphones. Access to accurate data on hotspot location, usage profiles and the customer segments generating the demand means operators can design the most suitable network capacity solution more easily.