According to OpenVault, statistics collected during Q3 2018 show clear differences in upstream data usage behavior between commercial and residential subscribers and between subscribers on usage-based billing plans vs. those on non-usage-based billing broadband plans.
OpenVault's review of upstream usage indicates that average consumption per household during the quarter ended Sept. 30 was 13 GB per month. On closer analysis, OpenVault observed differences among subscriber categories that can have implications for operator networks, particularly those that serve both commercial and residential customers at scale. Among the findings:
- Average upstream usage for commercial subscribers is nearly 2.5 times the amount observed per residential subscriber, with commercial subs averaging more than 30 GB of upstream usage per month in September alone.
- Upstream usage accounts for approximately 18% of total usage for commercial subscribers, vs. approximately 5.5% for residential subscribers. Overall upstream usage per subscriber is growing at approximately 16% annually.
- Upstream usage per subscriber for providers with usage-based billing in place is 15% less than average upstream usage for providers without usage-based billing in place.
- The data also indicated that average downstream commercial usage per subscriber is 35-50% lower than average downstream residential usage.
"As upstream usage continues to grow, we're seeing that usage-based broadband can help to curb strain on networks caused by excessive data consumption in both directions," said Mark Trudeau, CEO of OpenVault. "At the same time, the data shows the importance of operators continuing to invest in next-generation DOCSIS and other solutions that will enable them to meet subscribers' growing upstream expectations."