Mobile Data Consumption Trends in 2025
As we move deeper into the digital age, 2025 marks another significant leap in mobile data consumption worldwide. With faster networks, 5G accessibility, and growing smartphone penetration, users are consuming more data than ever before. According to Ericsson, global mobile data usage has increased more than sevenfold since 2018, with the average smartphone now using 21.6 GB per month, up from just 4.9 GB six years ago. The total volume of cellular data transferred each month has soared past 157 exabytes, driven largely by video content and social apps.
This exponential growth reflects a fundamental shift in how people use their devices. Mobile video alone now accounts for over 75% of all cellular traffic, with social media apps and real-time content driving much of the remaining demand. As mobile becomes the dominant platform for entertainment, communication, and commerce, understanding these data trends is crucial—not just for marketers and tech providers, but also for energy analysts, policy-makers, and sustainability advocates navigating the infrastructure demands of a data-hungry world.
Mobile Data Consumption Statistics in 2025
Global Mobile Data Growth – 2018 vs. 2024
| Year / Quarter | Total Monthly Mobile Data (EB) | Avg. Usage per Smartphone |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2018 | 21.78 EB | 4.9 GB |
| Q3 2024 | 157.16 EB | 21.6 GB |
Between Q3 2018 and Q3 2024, global mobile data consumption saw an unprecedented leap—total monthly data traffic grew more than sevenfold, from 21.78 exabytes to 157.16 exabytes. This reflects not just the expansion of smartphone users worldwide but also the evolution in user behavior, driven by richer, more demanding applications. As mobile connectivity becomes a central aspect of digital life, everything from 4K video streaming to cloud gaming and real-time collaboration tools has significantly increased demand on mobile networks.
The average mobile user now consumes 21.6 GB per month, more than four times the 4.9 GB used in 2018. This rise is fueled by faster 5G networks, more affordable data plans in emerging markets, and widespread reliance on mobile devices for work, entertainment, education, and social interaction. The data explosion underlines a global trend toward mobile-first ecosystems, where digital services are increasingly optimized—and often exclusively designed—for mobile access. As this trend accelerates, mobile infrastructure, spectrum allocation, and energy efficiency will become key challenges for telecom providers worldwide.
Mobile Data Usage by Category in 2025
| Category | Monthly Cellular Data (2024) |
|---|---|
| Video Streaming | 111+ EB |
| Social Networking | 11.5+ EB |
| All Other Apps | ~24.5 EB |
In 2025, video streaming continues to dominate the mobile data landscape, accounting for more than 75% of total cellular data usage. That’s over 111 exabytes (EB) of video traffic each month, driven by platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Netflix, and Instagram Reels. This volume of video data is not just an entertainment phenomenon—it represents a profound shift in how users consume media on mobile. From binge-worthy series to auto-playing short-form clips, video content is shaping everything from content strategy to network infrastructure investment.
Meanwhile, social networking apps consume approximately 11.5 EB per month, still a significant figure but far overshadowed by video. Combined, all other app categories barely exceed 24.5 EB, highlighting just how disproportionately mobile data is allocated to video. For telcos, this means prioritizing bandwidth and network capacity for smooth video playback. For marketers and content creators, it’s a clear signal: video-first strategies are no longer optional—they’re essential for reach and relevance in the mobile age.
Mobile Video Data Stats in 2025
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Data | 111 EB (Exabytes) |
| In Gigabytes | 111 billion GB |
| In DVDs | ~23.5 billion DVDs |
| DVD Stack Height | 28,000 km |
| Comparison | 280x the height of Mount Everest |
| 2025 Projection | Could reach the Moon |
In 2025, mobile video continues to dominate global data usage, with 111 exabytes of video data transmitted monthly—equivalent to 111 billion gigabytes. This amount of data could fill 23.5 billion DVDs, and if those were stacked one on top of the other, the resulting tower would stretch 28,000 km into space, or 280 times the height of Mount Everest. These figures help translate the abstract scale of exabytes into visuals the average person can understand, highlighting just how vast mobile video consumption has become.
This explosion in video data is being driven by widespread adoption of high-resolution streaming, social video platforms, and real-time content like gaming and live broadcasts. As we look ahead, projections suggest that this “video tower” could metaphorically reach the moon. With video now accounting for the majority of mobile traffic, telecom networks are under pressure to expand capacity, improve compression technologies, and ensure latency-free experiences—all while managing the environmental and infrastructure impact of ever-rising data demands.
Energy Impact of Mobile Video Streaming
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Energy per 1 GB (GSMA, 2021) | 0.13 kWh |
| Monthly Video Data Consumption | 111 billion GB |
| Total Energy Use (Monthly) | ~14.4 billion kWh |
| London’s Monthly Electricity Use | ~3 billion kWh (2022 avg.) |
| Smartphones Globally (approx.) | 7.4 billion |
| Cloud Infrastructure Energy | Not included in above figures |
While mobile video streaming offers on-demand entertainment and convenience, its energy footprint is massive and often overlooked. In 2025, the estimated monthly energy required to transmit 111 billion GB of video data is around 14.4 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). This figure is nearly five times the monthly electricity consumption of London, a city of over 8 million people. And importantly, this estimate only covers the energy used for data transmission, excluding the power needed to run billions of smartphones or the cloud infrastructure supporting these services.
This growing digital energy demand poses a serious environmental challenge. Video content, despite being efficiently delivered through modern networks, remains the single largest contributor to mobile data traffic—and thus, energy use. As data consumption rises, especially with the expansion of 5G and high-resolution formats like 4K and 8K, so too will emissions linked to digital activity. Reducing this carbon footprint will require innovations in energy-efficient network design, data compression technologies, and greener cloud infrastructure.
Disclaimer: The data research report we present here is based on information found from various sources. We are not liable for any financial loss, errors, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of the information herein. We acknowledge that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented.
