Evidence that data traffic is becoming more important to
fixed and mobile network operators (MNOs) comes fromVerizon's latest quarterly report.
The US's biggest MNO, which
Vodafone owns a
45% stake, reported this week that total sales hit $15.1bn, up
almost 30% in the first quarter 2009 from the same period in 2008.
Revenues from voice calls were up 29% to $13.1 billion, but data
revenue leaped 56% to $3.6bn.
Average monthly revenue per user (ARPU) on voice calls dropped
0.3% to $50.74, but total data ARPU grew 21% to $14.16.
On the fixed line side Verizon's revenue from broadband and
video were up 36% to $1.3bn as the average bill rose 14% to
$69.97.
This was driven by a net increase of 299,000 net TV customers
who receive TV over optical fibre, and a record 298,000 net new
fibre-based internet customers.
This brought the total cable TV customers to 2.2 million, and
the number of cable internet customer to nearly 2.8 million. This
represented growth rates of 84% and 56% respectively, the firm
said.
Verizon said the figures represented market penetration figures
of 23% for cable TV and 27% for internet.