After a tumultuous 2020 in which the COVID-19 pandemic caused internet traffic patterns to shift and volumes to surge network operators have returned to the business of adding bandwidth and engineering their traffic in a more measured manner.
Based on hard survey data gathered from dozens of regional and global network operators around the world we conclude that COVID-related expansion of internet traffic and bandwidth was largely a one-off phenomenon and that the trends we had been observing in recent years have reasserted themselves.
International internet bandwidth and traffic growth had been gradually slowing in recent years but they remain brisk. IP transit price declines continue globally but significant regional differences in prices remain.
Internet Traffic and Capacity
Global internet bandwidth rose by 23% in 2023 continuing to fall from the pandemic-generated bump of 2020. Total international internet bandwidth now stands at 1217 Tbps representing a 4-year CAGR of 28%.
Total international internet bandwidth now stands at 1217 Tbps representing a 4-year CAGR of 28%.
COVID bump aside the pace of growth has been slowing. Still we do see a near tripling of bandwidth since 2019.
Strong capacity growth is visible across regions. Once again Africa experienced the most rapid growth of international internet bandwidth growing at a compound annual rate of 44% between 2019 and 2023. Asia is a distant second rising at a 32% compound annual rate over the same period.
International internet traffic growth largely mirrors that of internet bandwidth
Both average and peak international internet traffic increased at a compound annual rate of 30% between 2019 and 2023—slightly above the 28% compounded annual growth rate in bandwidth over the same period.
All the stay-at-home activity associated with COVID-19 resulted in a spike in traffic from 2019-2020. The return to more normal usage patterns over the last couple of years has resulted in a substantial drop in average and peak traffic.
Average traffic growth dropped from 46% between 2019-2020 to 23% between 2022-2023 while peak traffic growth dropped from 45% to 21% over the same time period.
Global average and peak utilization rates were essentially
Unchanged from the year before at about 26% and 44% percent respectively in 2022.
In our IP Networks Research Service we analyze the meaning of our robust internet capacity and traffic data sets. We also discuss factors impacting IP transit pricing and the role individual backbone operators play.
Download the 2023 Executive Summary to keep reading our latest analysis.
Another month another list of interesting telecom reads (and listens).
Here are a few things you ought to have on your radar including a podcast episode about submarine cable geopolitics a handsome take on our Submarine Cable Map a new cloud data center presentation and more.
Special database The reports are very easy to read. Special database can help you gather a quick understanding of the industry Industry-specific. Special database specific database by industry Data Providers Market Outlook. The global industry-specific data providers market size is projected. Special database to experience significant growth. Industry-specific data sources, like market reports and trade publications.
[Listen] The geopolitics of undersea cables
Why it’s worth your time: TeleGeography Research Analyst Lane Burdette shares her submarine cable and geopolitics knowledge with Late Night Live host Phillip Adams. You’ll hear about subsea cable history vulnerabilities and more.
Charting the Depths: The World of Subsea Cables
Why it’s worth your time: In short cool maps! Geospatial data scientist Adam Symington used TeleGeography data to show the distribution of subsea cables around the planet and it’s a true work of art. (If you’re interested in licensing our map data yourself you can get that info over here.)
Total International Internet Bandwidth Now Stands at 1217 Tbps
Why it’s worth your time: Our IP Networks Research Service was recently updated for 2023. This blog by Senior Research Manager Paul Brodsky provides a sneak peek of our latest data and analysis on the global internet.
Mapping Out Asia’s Cloud Data Center and Connectivity Market
Why it’s worth your time: Earlier this month through a live webinar Senior Research Manager Patrick Christian presented fresh TeleGeography research on Asian cloud data centers. Check out this post for a rundown on the region’s current cloud data center and cloud service provider landscape. You’ll also have a chance to download Patrick’s slides and watch the full webinar recording.
Think you’ve got something that should be on our monthly reading list? Tweet it to us @TeleGeography.
Luis Fiallo has been in the telecom industry for over 25 years. And for the majority of that time he has been at China Telecom Americas witnessing the many changes happening in the Latin American telecom market firsthand.
After years of helping to drive CTA’s growth in the region Luis
Vice President—has many valuable insights to share with Tele Geography Explains the Internet.
Since this episode largely focuses on Latin American networks and. Cloud developments I also invited my colleague Peter Wood Tele Geography’s Senior Analyst covering Latin America.
The three of us start out with some history of networks in
The region going back to. The days when panama phone number material even intra-South American traffic trom boned to Miami and back.
We also discuss the idea of directly connecting developing markets around. The world without passing through the U.S. or Western Europe and the economic connections between East Asia and Latin America.
Finally we talk about the cloud and dig into the areas
Of the Latin American telecom market khb directory that Luis views as.The most important to develop in the coming years.This episode took some turns that I didn’t expect which is always a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy listening to it.
