EE show social media now accounts for 25% of all 4G data
Telecoms provider EE has published the results of a report into the impact of 4G data on the lives of its customers, showing that social media now accounts for a quarter of all network traffic on 4G, a higher proportion than that recorded by 3G.
In addition the mobile operator contends that its zippy download speeds give Britons an extra hour to play with each day as a result of productivity gains – as even though most users spend no more time on the mobile internet than they have in the past, such time is spent undertaking many more tasks.
In total some 60 per cent of customers said they saved time with 4G, with 13 per cent gaining an hour’s leisure time and 77 per cent working more efficiently.
Olaf Swantee, EE chief executive, said: “With more than four million customers and over a year of data, we’re in a unique position to understand how 4G is changing the way people use their devices for work and play.
“It is key that we continue to extend the social and business benefits of 4G to as many people as we can. We remain on track to cover another ten million people with 4G this year, bringing change to even more people across the UK.”
Ed Vaizey, minister for culture and the digital economy, said: “A 66% rise in average monthly data use in just 12 months is a remarkable leap and shows the difference 4G is making to how we use our mobile devices. The rollout of 4G is crucial for the UK’s digital infrastructure and will have a real impact on our daily lives.”
The findings were contained in EE’s third 4GEE Mobile Living Index, which has been analysing data use and trends since early 2013.