Mobile data traffic surpasses voice

·         Historic milestone for mobile industry
 
·         Based on Ericsson measurements in live networks
 
·         24/7 Internet connection, a necessity in life
 
Mobile data surpassed voice on a global basis during December of 2009, Ericsson
announced today at the CTIA Wireless 2010 convention in Las Vegas. This finding
is based on Ericsson (NASDAQ:ERIC) measurements from live networks covering all
regions of the world.
 
Ericsson's findings show that data traffic globally grew 280% during each of the
last two years, and is forecast to double annually over the next five years. The
crossover occurred at approximately 140,000 Terabytes per month in both voice
and data traffic.  The data traffic increase is contributing to revenue growth
for operators when more and more consumers use data traffic generating devices
such as Smartphones and PCs. During the same period, Ericsson measurements show
that traffic in 3G networks surpassed that of 2G networks.
 
"This is a significant milestone with some 400 million mobile broadband
subscriptions now generating more data traffic than the voice traffic from the
total 4.6 billion mobile  subscriptions around the world," said Hans Vestberg,
Ericsson President and CEO, speaking at a management briefing in Las Vegas. "Our
view that the appeal of anywhere, anytime connectivity would drive mobile
broadband growth is confirmed by the real world measurements under taken by
Ericsson."
 
Social networking sites on mobile devices and mobile broadband-based PCs now
account for a large percentage of mobile data traffic. For example, over 200
mobile operators in 60 countries are deploying and promoting Facebook mobile
products, with over 100 million active users accessing Facebook through their
mobile devices.
 
Supporting this view is a recent Ericsson consumer insights study showing that
as much as 80% of mobile broadband users demand anytime, anywhere access. It has
become part of daily life. The study was based on 4,580 consumers in six mature
markets. It also finds that as mobile data traffic increases, the mobile
broadband connection is becoming as personal as the mobile phone. 80% of
respondents said they would not share their laptop with anyone and 65% would not
share their mobile broadband connection.
 
With the new consumer behavior mobile networks will need to be dimensioned for
data as well as voice. This is expected to require significant network
modernization and transformation to all-IP technologies and new support systems
- areas where Ericsson is well positioned to help operators to benefit from
these great opportunities.
 
Notes to editors:
 
Our multimedia content is available at the broadcast room:
www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room <http://www.ericsson.com/broadcast_room>
 
Ericsson is the world's leading provider of technology and services to telecom
operators. Ericsson is the leader in 2G, 3G and 4G mobile technologies, and
provides support for networks with over 2 billion subscribers and has the
leading position in managed services. The company's portfolio comprises mobile
and fixed network infrastructure, telecom services, software, broadband and
multimedia solutions for operators, enterprises and the media industry. The Sony
Ericsson and ST-Ericsson joint ventures provide consumers with feature-rich
personal mobile devices.
 
Ericsson is advancing its vision of being the "prime driver in an
all-communicating world" through innovation, technology, and sustainable
business solutions. Working in 175 countries, more than 80,000 employees
generated revenue of SEK 206.5 billion (USD 27.1 billion) in 2009. Founded in
1876 with the headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden, Ericsson is listed on OMX
NASDAQ, Stockholm and NASDAQ New York.
 
www.ericsson.com <http://www.ericsson.com/>
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress <http://www.twitter.com/ericssonpress>
www.facebook.com/technologyforgood <http://www.facebook.com/technologyforgood>
www.youtube.com/ericssonpress <http://www.youtube.com/ericssonpress>
 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
 
Kathy Egan
Phone: 917-362-1600
Kathy.egan@ericsson.com 
 
Jimmy Duvall
Phone: 214-543-9830
Jimmy.duvall@ericsson.com 
 
Ericsson Corporate Public & Media Relations
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com 
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
 
Ericsson's Capital Markets Day, Stockholm, Sweden, May 5-6
 
Ericsson Business Innovation Forum, Shanghai, China, May 17-18
 
For more information please contact the Ericsson Media Relations Team.
<http://www.ericsson.com/ericsson/press/contacts/press.shtml>
 
[HUG#1396928]
 
Mobile data traffic surpasses voice: http://hugin.info/1061/R/1396928/353017.pdf