Mobile Data Traffic Advancements Will Help to Increase National Philanthropy

Increased Mobile Data Speeds Can Advance Charities

Cisco recently released it’s latest research white paper—Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast Update 2011-2016. Download Full White Paper PDF

DO MOBILE TRAFFIC ADVANCEMENTS EFFECT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS?

As nonprofit leaders we must realize that more and more or our donors, supporters, volunteers and staff are using smartphones and tablets in place of personal computers. How do advancements in mobile data speed effect fundraising, communication and engagement for nonprofits? As a philanthropic leaders let’s allow this question to percolate as we consider the mobile trends.

Smartphones will continue to lead mobile data traffic and growth.

WHERE ARE WE NOW—2011 A YEAR OF MOBILE ADVANCES

2011 was the year of 4G—Smartphones are faster than ever before.

Mobile data traffic grew 2.3x— doubling for the fourth year in a row.
2011 mobile data traffic was 8x the size of the entire Internet in 2000.
Mobile video exceeded 50% of mobile web traffic for the first time.
Mobile network connection speeds grew 66 percent.
Fourth-generation (4G) connection generated 28x more traffic than non-4G.
Average smartphone usage nearly tripled in 2011.
Smartphones represent 12% of global mobile devices (28% in US), but represent over 82% of total data traffic.
Android levels of data use is now higher than iPhone.
The number of mobile-connected tablets tripled to 34 million.

Cloud media advancements lead the mobile revolution.

WHERE ARE WE GOING—THE NEXT FIVE YEARS OF MOBILE

Mobile forecasts through 2016—More devices, more data and less computers.

Global mobile data traffic will increase 18-fold between 2011 and 2016.
By the end of 2012, mobile devices will exceed people on earth.
By 2016 there will be 1.4 mobile devices per capita.
In 2016, 4G will be 6 percent of connections, but 36 percent of total traffic.
By 2016, 39 percent of all mobile devices will potentially connect to IPv6.
2/3 of the world’s mobile data traffic will be video by 2016.
Tablets will generate almost as much traffic in 2016 as all mobile in 2012.
The average smartphone will generate 2.6 GB of traffic per month in 2016, a 17-fold increase over the 2011 average of 150 MB per month.

25% of mobile users will have two or more mobile connected devices by 2016.

Mobile video will lead mobile data traffic and growth.

HOW DO THESE MOBILE TRENDS EFFECT NONPROFITS?

Nonprofit giving, education, communication and involvement will follow mobile traffic trends. Nonprofit constituents want to: 1—give conveniently, 2—be educated constantly with rich media and video, 4—be connected and receive instant instant feedback and 5—use new technologies to grow overall philanthropy. Traditional “business as usual” charitable communication and fundraising strategies will face decline if not augmented by mobile technologies.

HOW DO WE RESPOND TO INCREASED MOBILE RATES?

Forward thinking NPOs need to actively pursue mobile technologies—across mobile, social, live events and whatever other mediums our target constituents are already using—to augment existing strategies. Creative use and effective measurable implementations of mobile technologies are essential components for charitable growth in our country.

Learn more about MobileCause fundraising and engagement tools for NPOs.