real-time applications as key driver in consumer data consumption

Extract from Sandvine Report
The 2009 report findings include a dramatic increase in consumer behavior towards real-time "experience now" applications and away from bulk download "experience later" applications. Compared to last year's results, real-time entertainment traffic (video and audio streaming, Flash media, peercasting, placeshifting) accounts for 26.6 per cent of total traffic in 2009, up from 12.6 per cent in 2008. Overall, the "experience now" applications (real-time entertainment and real-time communications, such as social networking, VoIP and gaming) continue their domination of peak evening hours, with usage growing substantially from 17.7 per cent in 2008 to 32.8 per cent in 2009.
"We live in a 'right here right now' society and that translates into time-sensitive gigabits," said Dave Caputo, Sandvine co-founder, president and CEO. "As more and more consumers rely on their Internet connection for on-demand entertainment it is increasingly necessary to protect their quality of experience. A key element for minimizing customer churn and increasing consumer satisfaction will be improving quality of experience, especially in times of congestion when these real-time applications are being utilized the most and are the most sensitive to latency and jitter."