Global data consumption hit a major new high in 2024 – here’s why

Posted by:
John Harrison
Wed, 29 Jan
0 Comment
Feature image

Global data traffic surged to a record high of 68 exabytes in 2024, showing an impressive 15% increase from the previous year and a substantial 113% growth within five years, according to the latest report by DE-CIX, a major data handler. The report highlights the significant rise in data consumption globally, emphasizing the impact of sporting events and video gaming on internet traffic.

The data exchange across 3,400 global networks in 2024 alone would amount to a stack of paper 20 times taller than Mount Everest if printed or streaming a high-definition video continuously for two million years. Notably, the UEFA Champions League and new game launches led to internet traffic peaking at 24.92 terabits/second in November 2024.

Interestingly, although gaming contributed the most to the surge in traffic, video conferencing also saw an increase post-summer, reflecting the shift towards hybrid working arrangements. DE-CIX, the world’s leading Internet Exchange operator, gathered these insights from its operations across various continents.

Similarly, Cloudflare’s recent study revealed a 17% year-over-year rise in global internet traffic, shedding light on Google’s market dominance in browsing and search, as well as the growing influence of artificial intelligence and social media.

The trends underscore the growing importance of digital infrastructure and the continued evolution of online platforms in various sectors.

Tags:

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments