UK-based network management specialist Arieso has compared the subscriber demand for mobile data from different devices. It found that Android users were particularly ‘data hungry’ in terms of data call volumes, time connected to the network, and data volume sent and received. For example, Samsung Galaxy users typically uploaded 126% more data than iPhone 3G users, and HTC Desire users downloaded 41% more data than iPhone 3G users.
The results also show that iPhone 4 users are more hungry for data than their iPhone 3G counterparts, typically making 44% more data calls, downloading 41% more data and spending 67% more time connected to the data network.
However, voice calls per subscriber remain roughly similar across all devices.
Michael Flanagan, CTO of Arieso, said “Smartphone subscriptions are rising and so too is subscriber appetite for mobile data. Operators must now be able to quantify the impact of the devices they support, and how subscribers use them, and prepare their networks accordingly. Right now, operators struggle to see their network as their customers see it, especially regarding performance and quality of service within individual buildings. They are risking rising operational costs, and delivering a sub-par quality of service to customers. They must adopt a new, more precise approach to monitoring and optimizing their networks.”