5G Will Make Online Video Streaming Soar, Says Ericsson Report

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The coming 5G networks will have a huge impact on video streaming, forecasts the latest Ericsson Mobility Report. Video now comprises roughly 60 percent of all mobile video traffic, but that number will shoot up starting in 2019 with 5G deployment. The report forecasts video making up 74 percent of all mobile traffic by 2024.

By the end of 2024, over 40 percent of the world's population will have access to 5G, with North America and North East Asia leading in adoption. In North America, 55 percent of mobile subscriptions will be for 5G connections, while the figure will be 43 percent in North East Asia. In Western Europe, roughly 30 percent of mobile subscriptions will be 5G by the end of 2024.

Ericsson sees many reasons for the increase in mobile video streaming. Viewers will spend more time streaming and sharing online videos, and videos will be embedded in more types of online content. An increase in high-quality video, as well as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) video will also drive the trend. Other factors driving mobile video growth include larger screen devices with high-resolution screens, stronger networks, and emerging immersive video applications (such as 360-degree video).

"Today, most mobile video is streamed at low-definition and standard-definition formats 360p and 480p respectively. This is due to restrictions introduced by both content and communications service providers, as well as customers selecting formats with lower bitrates to get the most out of their data bucket," the report says. "But user behaviors are shifting as network capabilities expand and are projected to change more dramatically as 5G services are made available."

Look for 5G networks to carry 25 percent of total mobile video traffic by 2024. 

For more, view the full Ericsson Mobility Report online for free. Cisco also released a report today forecasting streaming video trends. 

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