Faster internet access speeds lead to higher data consumption. In September 2020, for example, 5G customers consumed as much as 2.7 times more mobile data than did 4G customers, according to Opensignal.
In the past, observers have suggested that the reason for the correlation is that higher speeds lead to a more-pleasant or useful experience, which increases willingness to spend time online, or using mobile internet. The other explanation has been that, with higher speeds, users can get more done in the same amount of connection time, and so increase page views, for example.
Time spent with online media also has increased over time, which also increases data consumption. Also, the way content now is supported (lots more video advertising, for example) also increases the amount of data consumed in any single session, compared to what was the norm several decades ago. The number of objects per page has grown steadily, as well.
As consumption of video entertainment has become more common, an additional explanation is that viewing is more likely to happen using higher-resolution modes, which, by definition, lead to higher data consumption.
Opensignal suggests that, “by having a better experience, users consumed more content on their smartphones, or similar amounts of content at higher quality and resolution.”
“In some cases, 5G users might even be prone to use their smartphones for tethering as they might find their 5G connection is now multiple times faster than their fixed home broadband solution,” Opensignal notes.
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