In just one year, data usage by Irish mobile subscribers increased by 82.7pc by the end of 2014, according to ComReg’s latest figures. At the end of 2014, 11pc of all mobile subscribers used 4G networks.
According to the ComReg quarterly report for the fourth quarter of 2014, average broadband speeds in Ireland continue to increase and 45.4pc of all fixed broadband subscriptions were greater than 30Mbps. Almost 64pc of fixed broadband speeds were greater than 10Mbps, up from 53pc in the fourth quarter of 2013.
Fixed broadband subscriptions increased by 5.8pc annually to 1.26m subscribers.
Household penetration for broadband now stands at 80pc of homes.
Voice traffic declined during the quarter by 1.7pc while mobile voice traffic grew 4.1pc.
Are social messaging apps killing SMS?
More than 1.88bn text messages were sent during the fourth quarter of 2014, down 12.4pc on the previous year, giving rise to questions as to whether social apps such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber and Snapchat are killing the good old text message.
The number of multimedia messages sent was up 6.6pc on 2013.
Data usage by mobile subscribers increased 82.7pc between the fourth quarter of 2013 and the fourth quarter of 2014.
Mobile average revenue per user (ARPU) was €25.10 per month, down from €26.20 per month, which ComReg suggests may be down to lower-priced mobile plans, increased sales of bundled products and reduction in mobile roaming and termination rates.
Smartphone user image via Shutterstock
