With a sharp increase in mobile video consumption forecast, this finding raises concerns among mobile operators as they find it more challenging to ensure a satisfying mobile video experience for consumers with increasing expectations.
According to the survey, which polled more than 1,000 mobile phone users, consumers predict a dramatic increase in their data usage as mobile networks move from 3G to 4G.
The survey, conducted by On Device Research for Mobixell Networks, found that 91% would browse and use more internet services, watch more streamed videos, play more games or download more files if their network performance was 10 times faster than it is today.
As mobile video consumption rises faster than the rate of network capacity expansion, network congestion is more likely to lead to an increase in both browsing interruptions and inconsistent video streaming. The survey found that slow browsing speed would cause 43% of respondents to consider switching operators while another 24% said that buffering and poor video quality would cause them to consider switching.
“This survey highlights the importance that mobile subscribers attribute to video quality and the steps they would consider taking when it is unsatisfactory,” said Noam Green, VP marketing at Mobixell. “New mobile devices and 4G networks will further inflate mobile data demand and, therefore, congestion, in the coming years.
To continue to meet user expectations for continuous, no-buffer video, operators are embracing video optimization with real-time congestion prediction.”
All indications point toward always-on, always-there mobile devices becoming the preferred way for consumers to stream video, even when wired broadband or Wi-Fi connections are available. In fact, 36% of survey respondents claimed that even at home they stream video using their mobile network.