Image Traffic Growth Overtakes Video on Mobile Networks with High Smart Phone Penetration

HERZLIA, Israel, Nov. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Flash Networks, a global provider of intelligent mobile Internet solutions, announced that image traffic growth has surpassed video traffic growth for those markets with a high level of smart phone penetration. Image traffic grew 33 percent as compared with five percent growth for video traffic in the Americas and Europe for the last six months. Where smart phone penetration is lower, primarily in Asia, video traffic is still growing faster than image traffic.

Flash Networks has collected this data over the last six months from several Tier One Operator networks located in Europe, Asia and the Americas, collectively servicing over 200 million subscribers. Approximately 85% percent of the overall traffic was running on smart phones in saturated markets.

Mobile social networks such as Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook are increasing the sharing of images which is greatly contributing to the traffic surge on mobile networks.  Flash Network's data revealed that Instagram version upgrade in September alone increased image traffic by 20% for operators in the Americas and Europe. 

Other recent reports confirm the rising popularity of sharing images over mobile networks. comScore reported a nearly 8.5-fold increase in Instagram mobile users in less than six months. Diffbot reported that 36 percent of all links shared on Twitter are images, and 42 percent of all Tumblr posts are photos.

"With all the recent noise around video traffic, operators need to ensure they are also prepared for the huge increase in images on mobile networks," said Merav Bahat, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development at Flash Networks. "Fortunately optimization techniques can result in a significant data reduction without sacrificing image quality, enabling operators to cope with this latest burst in mobile data."

About Flash Networks
Flash Networks, the leading provider of mobile Internet optimization and monetization solutions, enables operators to provide exceptional quality of experience, reduce network operational expenses, and monetize the mobile Internet. With in-depth traffic analytics and user insight, Flash Networks' Harmony Mobile Internet Services Gateway helps operators manage the explosion of mobile data traffic while generating revenues by offering personalized and targeted content. With offices in North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia, Flash Networks services over 500 million subscribers daily and is proud to count among its customers top-tier mobile carriers including MTS, Orange, SMART, SingTel Group, T-Mobile, Telefonica Group, and Telekom Austria Group. For more information, visit www.flashnetworks.com.

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SOURCE Flash Networks