The latest data from the 11th annual Cisco Visual Networking Index (VNI) Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast (2016 to 2021) came out this month, and it’s safe to say that the projections all point to a surge in the Internet of Things, connectivity enhancements and internet speed improvements. As people around the world continue to rely on their smartphones, tablets and multiple connected devices inside and outside the home, we are surely in for the next level of connectivity in the years to come as internet service providers and technology innovators stay ahead of consumer demands. With the growth of TV Everywhere, virtual reality, augmented reality, and the number of devices we each have, our Wi-Fi and internet connectivity will only get faster and better to accommodate the exciting era we are entering.
Take a look at a few of the statistics below that highlight the rise we will see in connectivity in the United States in the next four years and where it’s coming from:
Number of mobile-connected devices
2016: 481 million
2021: 1,014 million
Number of wearable devices
2016: 117.7 million
2021: 358 million
Number of public Wi-Fi hotspots
2016: 20.7 million
2021: 82.6 million
Average Wi-Fi connection speed
2016: 28,146 kbps
2021: 41,320 kbps
Percentage of video that makes up mobile data traffic
2016: 64%
2021: 76%
And globally, VR and AR traffic will experience spikes as well in the next several years:
Growth in virtual reality
2016: 13.3 petabytes/month
2021: 140 petabytes/month
Growth in augmented reality
2016: 3 petabytes/month
2021: 21 petabytes/ month
