Validas study finds Verizon smartphones consuming more data than iPhones
By Darren Murph 
posted July 30th 2010 9:19AM
posted July 30th 2010 9:19AM
You know how we've good reason to believe that Verizon Wireless is at least mulling the switch to capped / tiered data plans? Yeah. An independent Validas research report has found that, between January and May of this year (pre-AT&T caps), Verizon's stable of smartphones collectively averaged more data consumption per month that Apple's iPhone. Of course, this quite literally compares an Apple to every smartphone on Verizon save for BlackBerries, but given how much squalling we've heard from Ma Bell about this rampant iPhone data usage, we're pleased to see a few facts that spin things the other way. The company's full report is due out in September, but investigation of over 20,000 wireless bills found that VZW smartphones "are consuming more wireless data than AT&T iPhones by a ratio of roughly 1.25:1," with the average Verizon user eating up 421MB per month and the average iPhone user consuming 338MB per month. It also points out that "nearly twice as many Verizon Wireless smartphone users are consuming 500MB to 1GB per month compared to AT&T iPhone users." You learn something new everyday, right? Validas Reports Verizon Wireless Smartphones Consume More Data Than iPhones
VZW Smartphones Using 25% More Data on Average than AT&T iPhones
HOUSTON, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- An ongoing study of wireless data utilization, conducted by Validas, shows that Verizon Wireless Smartphones are consuming more wireless data than AT&T iPhones by a ratio of roughly 1.25:1. Average monthly wireless data consumption for Verizon Wireless Smartphones is 421 megabytes per month, versus 338 megabytes per month for iPhones.
"Averages can be misleading because when you plot data users in a distribution, you quickly see that there is no typical user – they are spread across a broad range," says Ed Finegold, Executive Vice President-Analytics, for Validas. "The key detail in this study that drives the average is that, by percentage, nearly twice as many Verizon Wireless Smartphone users are consuming 500 megabytes to 1 gigabyte per month compared to AT&T iPhone users," Finegold says. More than 11 percent of VZW Smartphone users fall into this category, versus just 5.6 percent of iPhone users.
Validas also finds that slightly more than 54 percent of VZW Smartphones consume less than 200 MB per month, versus slightly more than 52 percent of iPhones. Nearly 46 percent of VZW Smartphones consume more than 200 MB per month, versus nearly 48 percent of iPhones. But, more than 4 percent of VZW Smartphones consume more than 2 gigabytes per month, as opposed to just 1.6 percent of iPhones. Only 2/10ths of 1 percent of both VZW Smartphones and iPhones use more than 5 GBs per month. Further, a nearly even percentage of users consume no data at all in a given month – 3.4 percent for Verizon Wireless Smartphones versus 2.9 percent for AT&T iPhones.
The data for this analysis was derived from more than 20,000 consumer wireless bills dated between January and May of 2010. "Smartphones" deliberately excludes BlackBerry devices which, due to data compression techniques, do not follow similar data consumption patterns to those of iPhones and other Smartphones.
For more information on and highlights from Validas' forthcoming wireless data consumption study, visit http://blog.myvalidas.com/.
About Validas
Validas® provides consumers, businesses and government agencies with a simple, secure online service that optimizes wireless bills and cuts bottom line costs by an average of 20 to 40 percent. Founded by wireless industry experts, Validas eliminates wireless billing and rate plan confusion to improve customer care for wireless users. The Web-based wireless bill analysis software leverages patent-pending algorithms, processes and PDF scanning capabilities to deliver powerful business intelligence in seconds. For more information visit http://www.validas.com.
VZW phones = multiple devices. iPhone is just one device. iPhone is still winning IMO.
@Rick Astley
Sorry, can't hear you...must have held it wrong...
^_^
@Rick Astley ... And what exactly is it winning? This is a comparison of consumer's data usage.
@Rick Astley Your post makes no sense and adds no value. The article doesn't talk about total usage on the network, it's usage per device. The actual device is pointless in that it says that the iphone is using less than other devices.
The real point of this article that we should all take is that even though Verizon has more data being used than ATT, their network isn't suffering any issues like ATT is. ATT=Sucks, no doubt about it. An iPhone on Verizon would be very welcome to many (not me personally, but some other sheep out there).
@Rick Astley
I think the point is that AT&T complain that unprecedented data usage on the Iphone is crippling their network yet these figures indicate Verizon handels more data no problem.
@Rick Astley
Was pretty hard to consume data when you couldn't multitask.
@Rick Astley Let me guess u must be 21 or under if not you are a sad adult to post this type of response or even care
@Stormstrike
yea I wa gonna day they couldn't use it to consume bandwithd because they couldn't get a signal
@Rick Astley
I didn't know there was something to win...
@Rick Astley
Well since they're talking about averages, no it doesn't.
@Rick Astley
Jonyah and Fais have it right. It has nothing to do with "winning", I can't seem to contain the urge to call you an idiot, but rather it shows how hard AT&T fails with there less data in less places network.
@SteveBaldmer
their*
@Rick Astley
He's right thought...I mean honestly this is the dumbest comparison to date.
1 Phone vs MULTIPLE Phones
Does anyone seriously doubt that if AT&T added in all the OTHER phones on its network that it's data usage wouldn't overtake Verizons?
This is just another dumb comparison. The iPhone (and AT&T by extension) still have the upper hand in this whole data usage debate. You can't compare 1 phone vs 100 phones and say that's fair...
@fais But this study is comparing ALL Verizon smartphones to just the data consumption of the iPhone. That's not a fair comparison. AT&T has many other smartphone that use data than the iPhone. I'll reserve my judgment until they do a true 1 for 1 comparison.
As for AT&T, I have zero complaints about their service. I'm in Charlotte and they have their network here upgraded 3G HSUPA+. I'm averaging 4.5 to 5 mbps down and slightly over 1.2 mbps up! That's 4G type speeds. In fact, Sprint advertises average 4G speeds here between 4 and 6 mbps. Oh, and I have unlimited data (no cap) and I don't have to pay extra for the higher speeds.
@BrookLynnsFinest
To be honest iPhone doesn't really y have apps the same way as android my
Phone is constantly checking for new post to notify me about half of my Widgets are refreshing on a 30min cycle so its obvious android phones will use more data then verizon
Exactly. This does nothing but put the ball in at&t's court to fix their network. In the meantime I will be enjoying my new droid x which I used to post this.
BrookLynnsFinest, what part of "Verizon's stable of smartphones collectively AVERAGED more data consumption per month that Apple's iPhone" do you not understand?
They're not saying the combined usage of all Verizon's handsets is more than the iPhones' - They're saying that most of their smartphones are using more data than the typical iPhone per month.
@BrookLynnsFinest
Do you understand the concept off an 'average'? I guess not.
No wonder you need a dumbed-down OS.
@tuatha *of, not off
another patronising reply scuppered by predictive text...
It's one phone vs how many
@jonyah -- First of all, this is a report of AVERAGES, not actual usage. The fact that the iPhone can sell over a million devices in a weekend means that not all of them are hard-core data users. I am half way through my billing cycle and I'm up to 6 GB. My wife is at 300MB.
They are NOT saying that the total of Verizon phones are using more data than AT&T's, just that the *on average*, VW customers use more. That's not saying "the average VW user uses more than the average iPhone user", because that would be comparing two different types of people. The average VW Droid user went to VW because they couldn't "do" what they wanted on the iOS platform, where I'm sure the average (not "most") of iPhone users are happy with those "restrictions" (count me as one of the people who like to JB and have a free range of functionality on my iPhone). A lot of people wanted physical keyboards, and the iPhone never gave them that option. That was a HUGE turn off for a lot of my Droid user friends. A lot of people were stuck with VW from their old BBs and had to choose between ponying up the $350 per line or a phone that was comparable to Apple's offering. It's not that either platform is significantly BETTER, or that VW smartphones offer more and better ways to use your data.
I've used 6GB so far this month, and that doesn't include the hours of wi-fi use. AT&T hotspots at malls and public areas downtown get used when they are in range. So when I go to lunch, I see that the deli has AT&T wi-fi, and I get on no problem. A lot of users search out wi-fi locations, or even have gone out of their way to install it at their house, because the average user may not understand why 3G is as slow as it is. And yes, it's slow. When the average person goes from a desktop-class browser with high-speed internet to a mobile (albeit amazing) browser on 3G, they are probably going to get whiplash from the sudden slow down. Tethering my iPhone does not compare to the 16Mbps from Comcast at home, or the dedicated line at work. My wife thinks the 3GS is amazingly fast (but she's coming from a BB 8900 - no 3G).
And remember, this sample is only 20,000 people? There are more devices activated per day for both platforms.
Anyone who takes this crap to heart has serious issues.
@Stormstrike
It must be all the personal data google is stealing from the android fans........
@Rick Astley Wow Rick, I'm sorry that the rest of the readers here have never heard of sarcasm either.
Seriously people, don't be so quick to bash Apple fans that you downrank those who you don't understand are mocking them. Read carefully AND THEN after you understand what they're actually saying, downrank them.
That said, this is nothing more than a typical Engadget, pro Apple piece.
"...given how much squalling we've heard from Ma Bell about this rampant iPhone data usage, WE'RE PLEASED to see a few facts that spin things the other way"
UGH...What has the world of tech journalism come to when they basically say with all smugness that they're happy print anything that's spun to make Apple look good, even if it absolutely ludicrous?!
@Stormstrike Really?? Aren't you guys tired of that same joke? I am just asking because EVERY single article that even mentions the iphone4 someone posts this.
@Worm in the Apple
I don't think it was sarcasm. I'm more worried that a substantial number of Engadget commenters appear to be unfamiliar with basic arithmetical terms.
@jonyah I agree! AT&T epic failure! AT&T's network suckith!
@Dredayxi85
Give the people a better browsing experience and they will browse more.
@Rick Astley
Yes and the next time you plug your iPhone into a computer to sync with iTunes remember real smart phones don't have to do that.
Android uses more data than the iPhone because we have the wonders of internet sync and don't have to dance with iTunes in the pale moonlight.
@Worm in the Apple
Dude, they're not talking about Apple at all. When they said they were "pleased to see a few facts that spin things the other way" they were talking about AT&T's constant bitching about how much data iPhone users consume and how it's so hard for them to keep up. Engadget is pleased to see that someone is calling them out on their BS, which is actually good tech journalism.
@jonyah That's not what it says either. It says in this sample Verizon users were using slightly more data then AT&T iPhone users. What it didn't say is what the total load / users using data at this high level was. You could have phones using slightly more data, but have a smaller total. We know there are like 14 million or so iPhone in ATT. Di you think there are that many Droid X or even just Droid? I highly doubt it.
What we need are big picture numbers and not just bill snooping.
@fais this is the worst comparison that i have evere seen. the iphone didnt tether during this period. So you have phones that tether or mobile hot spot phones that are included. You have no real results comparing one phone to every smartphone.
@bailey12345
Again your missing the point it's not a question of the Iphone using more or less data it's about AT&T not being able to handle the data the Iphone does use.
AT&T always said their network problems lack of skype etc were due to Iphones using more data then other phones but to quote the article "average Verizon user eating up 421MB per month and the average iPhone user consuming 338MB ".
So basically AT&T has a bad network and it's not the iphone's fault.
Engadget:
Why doesn't engadget tell us what percentage of their readers logon from an iPhone versus other smartphones. They don't have to tell us numbers, just percentages.
@BrookLynnsFinest AT&T data usage actually falls below verizon. And you're forgetting the iPhone is multiple phones as well, 3G, 3GS, 4, original. Verizon smart phones that aren't crackberries are virtually all android at this point besides legacy treos and those don't use a whole lot. You also are forgetting that verizon has a much stronger base of business users that use pc cards and USB data modems that access their network as well.
You also fail to realize that AT&Ts smartphone line is limited to some very basic androids with a much stronger focus in advertising for iPhones and messaging phones, and they and their consumers are very vocal about the impact of iPhones on their network, whereas verizon, with multiple smart phones that are data hungry is not receiving complaints from customers about their network and they are on a roll with their service.
AT&T has fewer subscribers, a smaller percentage of business users using 3G on their computers, and is vocal about their network being virtually crippled by a single phone.
AT&T service has gotten better, hell in San diego they've got a technically better network than verizon without the problems of new York or San francisco. And they've much improved their customer service.
Doesn't change how much data they move compared to other carriers or how much bad press they themselves have either generated or received about their network.
I for one do my part to bring that average of data usage up for smart phones on verizon. 4.2 GB last month on my incredible ftw :)
@jonyah
ATT has more smartphone users than Verizon though. This article does not say that Verizon is seeing more total data usage, just that their individual users each use less data than an iPhone user. Ex. 100 * 1.25 = 125 is less than 1000 * 1 = 1000. Even if each user uses more data than a competitor, if there are fewer users, then the network will have less data transferred than their competitor.
@jonyah
Wrong. You need to reread it yourself. It doesn't say there is more data in total being consumed, it says there us more data average per smart device. You can't make any conclusions about carrier performance based on this info.
@Rick Astley
Not sure why Engaget keeps trying to bring up tiered plans for Verizon - maybe they are all still smarting from their iphone/at&t limitations. Anyway, I sent this in as a tip but it hasn't been posted yet.
Verizon CEO already confirmed that they will NOT be doing tiered data plans for 3g, although it might be an option for future 4g plans.
Read it for yourself here or at the source link: http://www.droid-life.com/2010/07/25/verizon-cfo-denies-tiered-3g-data-plans-are-imminent/
@StickyD Agreed. AT&T rocks where I live. Fastest 3G available.
The idea that AT&T is a terrible useless network is kind of an urban myth or something. I've never had a dropped call on AT&T, not even with the iPhone 4 (which apparently needs a case to make calls), who knew.
There are a lot of people out there who have never even experienced AT&T, they just read a story about shitty service in high density areas like NY or SF and develop the impression it's like that everywhere. It isn't. Those problems seem to be specific to those two areas and the volume of usage there.
Either way, my iPhone 4 on AT&T works flawlessly. I'm satisfied with my unlimited data.
@BlackedOut SO, can I say that if the iPhone were to ever come to Verizon, that it would use less data than a different brand/model smartphone on the same network? Or am I missing it?
@tuatha At least its an OS that anybody can figure out, freaking androids are complicated takes like a week to get around doing things. WIth iOS, ive seen 7yr olds using ipod touches, I only see people above 14 years old using android phones.
@fais You realize of course that AT&T's network handles more wireless data traffic than all of the other carriers combined? This study compared ALL of Verizons smartphones to just the iPhone on AT&T. In sheer numbers of subscribers using smartphones, AT&T is still way ahead of Verizon.
@Rick Astley
This only says that the average smartphone uses more data on Verizon. This says nothing about how many smartphones are on Verizon's network compared to how many are on AT&T's network. The fact is there are a crap load of iPhones which can easily attribute to the stress on AT&T's network even if they do use less data.
I still don't notice a problem with AT&T's data network. I get great speed, even in places like San Fransisco, which is said to be worst place on AT&T's 3G network, I get like 3.5mbps which is pretty damn fast.
@Sil So you want more phones made for kids? Are you a bear?
@Rick Astley
You told me you would never let me down ...
@fais, actually I think these are the Top 3 reasons:
1. Greater access to 3G on VZW than AT&T wireless;
2. Ability to use WiFI lowers AT&T subscribers' use;
3. Multitasking makes for more data access on VZW.
I'd like to see the details to learn whether Verizon's requirement for data, in place far longer than AT&T's, could be a factor in behavior; what the median use is (since high users will skew the average upwards); and if there's a geographic difference (the 3G bottleneck oft-mentioned in SF and NYC for iPhone users).
@jonyah No, it's not usage per device. Did you even read the article, yourself? It said that ALL VZW Smartphones, except Blackberries, consume more data than iPhones. So, All droids, WebOS devices and WinMo devices use 25% more data than iPhone 2G, 3G, 3GS and 4. And, the real important thing to note is that at&t put a cap on data, and yet data usage is still higher than any single cellphone and it's successor. I know at&t isn't great for a lot of people, but the iPhone is a big problem and it wouldn't be any better for Verizon to get it. You forget that when at&t first got the iPhone, they had the most 2G coverage along with a huge data hit from the iPhone. iPhone on Verizon might and would probably stall VZW 4G plans.
I guess many iphone users just have their phone to be hip instead of using it...
Fail !
^_^
@Stormstrike
Its because the average iPhone user isn't using data intensive apps. Which is probably the reason AT&T changed their plans to make iPhone more affordable for people who just use email (200 mb per month).
I used to average 450MB per month because I listened to AOL RADIO for 3 hours a day.
Now, with the XM radio app, I'm using 150MB in just 2 days on iPhone 4. Fortunately, I have the unlimited data plan which AT&T let me keep when I upgraded.
Even though $30 a month is alot, for what I do with my phone, I'm definitely winning over those people who are new users stuck with 2GB per month or less.
@nuclearopts Vodafone 3G Service where I live:
For 26$, you get 500MB of data you can use as you please. After that, it's 44 cents per megabyte.
:D
@hicka
THAT'S EXTORTION MAN.
Even apple's 2GB for $25 a month is better than that. Honestly, I'm not doing the math and I'm not counting MB... I GOT UNLIMITED DATA for $30 a month.
I'm gonna abuse it too...upload some videos.