Verizon, Sprint Users Have Higher LTE Data Usage than Those of AT&T, T-Mobile

According to a new report from the renowned mobile analytics firm Mobidia, LTE subscribers are using nearly two times as much data on average as compared to their 3G counterparts. More importantly, Verizon Wireless and Sprint subscribers have been observed to be using more LTE data than customers of AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile US.

As a probable reason, the statistics appear to be so because AT&T and T-Mobile have faster and more extensive 3G fallback networks that use HSPA+ technology, whereas Verizon and Sprint have focused on overlaying LTE so customers do not have to fall back as often to slower EV-DO technology.

According to the reports, U.S. wireless subscribers with LTE capable devices have noticeably increased their data usage during this year. Mobidia observes and records real subscriber behavior regarding data and application-based usage on the various networks available for smartphones and tablets. The firm analyzed data which it collected July through September from numerous wireless subscribers in the U.S. for the purpose of analyzing Wi-Fi, 3G and LTE usage trends. Mobidia has also reported that U.S. Apple iPhone users consumed 82 percent of their mobile data while connected to Wi-Fi and users with Android platform consumed 78 percent of it. Verizon has the largest LTE network in the country, which is one of the major reasons it enjoyed the most access to LTE networks, with 98 percent of their cellular data consumed on LTE. LTE data accounted for 93 percent of cellular data consumed by Sprint subscribers and only 86 percent of the data consumed by AT&T subscribers.

Among other findings, it has been shared that LTE subscribers in the U.S. using iPhones consumed an average of 12 GB of total data per month while their 3G counterparts consumed only 7.1 GB of total data on average.

Sprint Cuts $10 from Its Shared Data Plans

In a recent turn of events, Sprint has made an attempt to capitalize on its subscriber additions while it enters the critical fourth-quarter holiday shopping season.

The carrier announced that it will reduce the cost of its 12 GB and 16 GB shared data plans by $10. In the big marketing move for which the promotion is available from Nov. 14, 2014, to Jan. 15, 2015, the company is cutting its “data access charge” from $25 per month to $15 per month on its $80 and $90 Sprint Family Share Pack plans. The benefit will go to the customers signing up with the carrier during the promotional period. Those who do so will pay the $15 access fee as long as they remain with the plans, which also provide unlimited voice and texting. The $80 plan provides 12 GB and the $90 plan provides 16 GB of data.

Sprint’s pricing changes seem to be in line with those made recently by the nation’s top carriers. Verizon Wireless released its promotional plans, in response to which the competition is following suit by introducing their promotional offers to market products and strengthen their customer base. AT&T is the one that has not yet responded to the moves by other carriers. Its CEO has just made it clear that although the pricing changes are inevitable, AT&T would not get drawn into a larger price war.

Among other developments, Sprint’s poorly received Family plans have been discontinued and replaced with shared data plans that offer two times the amount of data as compared to similar plans from Verizon and AT&T Mobility. For individuals, Sprint is offering unlimited data plans that are $20 less expensive than similar plans from T-Mobile US.