Mobile data surpassed voice on a global basis during December of 2009, Ericsson (News - Alert) says. That measure of bandwidth consumption by mobile users does not mean data revenue has passed voice revenue, though. The finding is based on Ericsson's measurements of traffic on live networks covering all regions of the world. The milestone is suggestive of trends, but not as important as it might seem. 

Globally, data comprises perhaps 90 percent of traffic volume already. That does not mean 80 percent of global revenue is generated by data services, though. Still, the milestone is illustrative of where mobile usage is headed. 

Ericsson's findings show that data traffic globally grew 280 percent during each of the last two years, and is forecast to double annually over the next five years. 

The crossover occurred at approximately 140,000 Terabytes per month in both voice and data traffic. Ericsson measurements also show that traffic over 3G networks surpassed that of 2G networks.

Social networking sites on mobile devices and mobile broadband-based PCs now account for a large percentage of mobile data traffic. For example, over 200 mobile operators in 60 countries are deploying and promoting Facebook (News - Alert) mobile products, with over 100 million active users accessing Facebook through their mobile devices.

Supporting this view is a recent Ericsson consumer insights study showing that as much as 80 percent of mobile broadband users demand anytime, anywhere access. It has become part of daily life. The study was based on 4,580 consumers in six mature markets. It also finds that as mobile data traffic increases, the mobile broadband connection is becoming as personal as the mobile phone. Some 80 percent of respondents said they would not share their laptop with anyone and 65 percent would not share their mobile broadband connection.