Updated: Feb 26, 2025
It's faster than you think that people have shifted from computers to mobiles. The number of websites designed to work better on phones and tablets is increasing. Therefore, websites that load faster and user friendly designs ensure that users have a smooth experience while visiting websites.
Since the mobile phone has become one of the key factors of worldwide mobile internet traffic, let’s look into some fascinating stats about it that you need to know.
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Global mobile internet traffic is a vibrant and ever-changing landscape shaped by technical advancements, improved smartphone adoption, and shifting user behaviours. To stay competitive in today’s digital age, businesses and marketers must study mobile traffic trends, internet traffic statistics, and the broader implications of mobile data globalization.
What percentage of internet traffic is mobile? Recent studies demonstrate that mobile devices account for over 54% of all global internet traffic, with some regions reporting increased figures. This dominance highlights the crucial need for businesses to prioritize mobile website traffic optimization. By comprehending this percentage, companies can tailor their approaches to meet the growing demand for seamless mobile experiences.
When analyzing the share of web traffic by device, mobile devices are leading the charge. Desktop usage continues to decline as more users turn to smartphones for browsing, shopping, and entertainment. Internet traffic breakdown reports consistently show that mobile traffic surpasses desktop traffic globally, making it essential for businesses to focus on mobile data-based statistics to understand their audience better.
Expanding global mobile broadband networks has been a key driver of mobile internet usage statistics. With worldwide mobile broadband coverage improving, especially in developing regions, more people are gaining access to the Internet. This growth directly contributes to the surge in global mobile data traffic, enabling users to stay connected regardless of location.
Mobile data globalization refers to the interconnected flow of data across borders, made possible by advancements in global mobile access. As more people connect to the Internet via mobile devices, global internet traffic monitor tools reveal a steady increase in mobile internet traffic. This trend underscores the importance of ensuring reliable and secure mobile connectivity worldwide.
According to the State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2021, mobile internet usage statistics have significantly risen, particularly in underserved regions. This report highlights how improved global mobile internet access empowers communities, fosters economic growth, and bridges the digital divide.
The growth rate of mobile Internet worldwide has been extraordinary over the past decade. From 2017 to 2021, mobile usage statistics showed early signs of rapid adoption, setting the stage for today’s widespread reliance on mobile connectivity. Projections indicate that this upward trend will continue, driven by innovations in global mobile data solutions.
Mobile devices consistently rank at the top among the sources contributing to the highest internet traffic. Whether streaming videos, browsing social media, or shopping online, mobile traffic dominates the breakdown. Businesses must leverage these insights to optimize their platforms for mobile users.
Understanding data traffic on mobile phones involves examining how users interact with apps, websites, and services. Video streaming, social media browsing, and online shopping contribute significantly to mobile data traffic. As more people rely on their phones for daily tasks, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
When evaluating global website traffic, mobile plays a pivotal role. Websites optimized for mobile traffic tend to perform better in terms of engagement and conversions. By leveraging mobile traffic statistics, businesses can enhance their online presence and effectively meet customer expectations.
Current internet traffic trends suggest mobile will continue dominating the digital landscape. By analyzing internet traffic stats and traffic statistics by category, companies can identify opportunities to improve user experiences and drive engagement. For example, e-commerce businesses can use mobile internet traffic insights to streamline checkout processes and reduce cart abandonment rates.
For a quick overview of key insights, check out this infographic titled “14 mobile stats you need to know.” It highlights critical data points, including the percentage of web traffic that is mobile and the impact of mobile traffic trends on global commerce. These stats provide actionable insights for businesses looking to capitalize on the mobile-first era.
As worldwide internet traffic continues to grow, mobile remains a dominant force. The integration of global mobile data solutions ensures that users have reliable access to the Internet, regardless of location. This accessibility is driving the growth of global internet access and shaping the future of digital interactions.
With mobile internet growth showing no signs of slowing down, businesses must adapt to changing consumer behaviours. By staying informed about mobile internet traffic patterns, companies can position themselves for long-term success. Global mobile internet technology innovations will continue to shape how people connect, communicate, and consume content.
Understanding mobile traffic trends is crucial for businesses aiming to thrive in a mobile-first world. By analyzing internet traffic statistics and leveraging mobile data-based statistics, companies can make informed decisions to enhance their digital strategies. From optimizing websites for mobile users to investing in mobile-friendly marketing campaigns, the opportunities are vast.
Mobile devices are at the heart of global internet traffic, driving innovation and reshaping industries. As the growth rate for mobile Internet accelerates, businesses must prioritize mobile
Infographic by GO Gulf Website Design Company Abu Dhabi
Over the years, mobile internet traffic has been steadily on the rise, showing high increases and small declines in usage for each of the quarters. The figures below outline how mobile devices have become so important for us to access the internet today. Let's take a look at how mobile internet traffic has changed from the first quarter of each year.
Quarter | Share | Annual Change |
1st Quarter - 2015 | 31.16% | - |
1st Quarter - 2016 | 39.47% | ↑ 26.67% |
1st Quarter - 2017 | 50.03% | ↑ 26.75% |
1st Quarter - 2018 | 51.77% | ↑ 3.48% |
1st Quarter - 2019 | 48.71% | ↓ 5.91% |
1st Quarter - 2020 | 51.92% | ↑ 6.59% |
1st Quarter - 2021 | 54.8% | ↑ 5.55% |
1st Quarter - 2022 | 59.66% | ↑ 4.86% |
1st Quarter - 2023 | 60.89% | ↑ 1.23% |
1st Quarter - 2024 | 61.21% | ↓ 1.88% |
Majority of the devices that bring the users online are mobile phones. No matter is its smartphone or smart home appliances, all have a role to connect us to Internet. Here are internet users by devices globally.
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Device | Share of Users |
Mobile phone (any) | 92.3% |
Laptop or desktop (any) | 65.6% |
Smartphone | 91% |
Feature phone | 5.2% |
Tablet device | 27.3% |
Own laptop or desktop | 59.1% |
Work laptop or desktop | 28.6% |
Connected television | 31.9% |
Smart home device | 15.4% |
Games console | 12.7% |
The increase in mobile internet data use has shown an acceleration in the last few years. Accounting for both uploads and downloads, the average monthly traffic in exabytes of the respective quarters continues to grow steadily. Below are some average monthly mobile network data traffic figures from various quarters of the years that illustrate this growth.
Here’s the updated table with each year broken down into its four quarters, following the original data structure:
Quarter (Year) | Monthly Average Global Mobile Network Data Traffic in Exabytes (Upload and Download) |
1st Quarter - 2017 | 9.68 EB |
2nd Quarter - 2017 | 10.63 EB |
3rd Quarter - 2017 | 11.69 EB |
4th Quarter - 2017 | 13.60 EB |
1st Quarter - 2018 | 15.94 EB |
2nd Quarter - 2018 | 18.37 EB |
3rd Quarter - 2018 | 21.78 EB |
4th Quarter - 2018 | 26.54 EB |
1st Quarter - 2019 | 29.02 EB |
2nd Quarter - 2019 | 32.66 EB |
3rd Quarter - 2019 | 36.49 EB |
4th Quarter - 2019 | 39.56 EB |
1st Quarter - 2020 | 45.16 EB |
2nd Quarter - 2020 | 50.03 EB |
3rd Quarter - 2020 | 54.79 EB |
4th Quarter - 2020 | 58.44 EB |
1st Quarter - 2021 | 66.14 EB |
2nd Quarter - 2021 | 72.20 EB |
3rd Quarter - 2021 | 77.81 EB |
4th Quarter - 2021 | 84.16 EB |
1st Quarter - 2022 | 92.75 EB |
2nd Quarter - 2022 | 100.42 EB |
3rd Quarter - 2022 | 107.58 EB |
4th Quarter - 2022 | 118.21 EB |
1st Quarter - 2023 | 126.00 EB |
2nd Quarter - 2023 | 133.86 EB |
3rd Quarter - 2023 | 143.14 EB |
While Android is leading, with Apple and other brands are at the top of the list as well. Some brands are just incredible in growth. Below are rankings of device types based on their share of mobile internet traffic and how they've changed from the previous year.
Rank | Device Type | Share | Change Over Previous Year |
1 | Android | 70.48% | -2.6% |
2 | Apple | 28.8% | +6.7% |
3 | Samsung | 0.37% | +2.8% |
4 | KAI | 0.14% | +27.3% |
5 | Other | 0.21% | +16.7% |
Mobile internet traffic has increased immensely. It started from less than 6% in 2011 and has remained steadily high, indicating that people are increasingly depending on mobile devices for accessing the internet. The share of mobile internet traffic is as shown below year after year, which tracks upward.
Year | Mobile Internet Traffic |
2011 | 6.09% |
2012 | 10.88% |
2013 | 17.02% |
2014 | 28.97% |
2015 | 35.20% |
2016 | 43.66% |
2017 | 51.58% |
2018 | 50.81% |
2019 | 50.43% |
2020 | 51.61% |
2021 | 55.01% |
2022 | 58.37% |
2023 | 60.67% |
2024 | 63.83% |
Mobile internet use differs significantly across various regions worldwide. There are some places where mobile devices are more commonly used for internet access, and there are places where it is less as compare to others. The table below shows the percentage of mobile internet traffic for various regions, giving a clear picture of how mobile devices are used globally.
Rank | Region | Share of Mobile Internet Traffic | Difference to Global Average |
#1 | Africa | 69.13% | + 12.24% |
#2 | Asia | 65.2% | + 8.31% |
- | Global | 56.89% | - |
#3 | South America | 51.47% | - 5.42% |
#4 | Europe | 49.19% | - 7.7% |
#5 | North America | 48.49% | - 8.4% |
#6 | Oceania | 39.51% | - 17.38% |
People use their mobile for a number of things every day. From gaming and music to shopping and banking, mobile internet traffic it helps us in what we do online. The table below shows how much each activity contributes to overall mobile internet usage, highlighting the most popular ways we engage with the internet.
Activity | Share |
Gaming | 68% |
Music | 67% |
social media | 63% |
Streaming videos, TV, or film | 61% |
Paid for something bought online | 47% |
Bank usage | 47% |
Shopping products | 42% |
Booked food delivery | 41% |
Work-related | 38% |
Sent money to a friend | 35% |
Paid for something using Google Pay, Apple Pay, etc. | 33% |
Read a magazine or newspaper | 33% |
Used a medical or fitness service | 25% |
Booked a taxi ride | 22% |
Controlled a smart device | 20% |
Other | 3% |