In the latest annual update of its Visual Networking Index (VNI) Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2014 to 2019 networking technology firm Cisco predicts that 3G will surpass 2G as the top cellular technology, based on connection share, by 2016.

This prediction is based on the continued adoption of powerful devices and machine-to-machine (M2M) connections.

According to the Index 4G will account for 56.1 % of total mobile data traffic in South Africa by 2019, compared to 15.7 % at the end of 2014, a CAGR of 110 %.

A media release from Cisco states that Wi-Fi data offloading, the use of complementary network technologies for delivering data originally targeted for cellular networks globally - is expected to surpass that of cellular traffic.

The amount of traffic offloaded from 4G will be 46 % by 2019, compared to 40 % at the end of 2014. Traffic offloaded from 3G will go up to 42 % from 35 % in the same time period. Whilst traffic offloaded from 2G will be 42 % compared to 37 % at the end of 2014, according to the networking technology company.

Vernon Thaver, Chief Technology Officer, Cisco in South Africa, says "The increasing demand for network mobility and the emergence of 4G are among the key trends highlighted in this year's forecast that represent significant opportunities for service providers today and in the immediate future. The challenge is not about getting Wi-Fi facilities to South African citizens but rather about ensuring that high speed internet is available not only in homes and offices, but also public places like shopping centres. The findings highlight that service providers in South Africa have immense opportunities to innovatively deliver a variety of mobile services and experiences to consumers and business users as the Internet of Everything (IoE) continues to take shape."

Dean Sullivan, head of Architectures Emerging Markets, Cisco Systems, said in November 2014 that a great deal could be achieved from the Internet of Things and from connectivity, specifically the ability to source data and use this to enhance business processes.

In South Africa, 4G tablet traffic will be 93% of total tablet traffic by 2019, compared to 56.5% at the end of 2014.

Increase in 4G connectivity

Cisco adds that many service providers are deploying 4G technologies to address consumer and business users' strong demand for wireless services and content.

In many emerging markets, service providers are creating new mobile infrastructures with 4G solutions.

The Forecast also claims that the average 3G speed will grow 2.1-fold (16 % CAGR) from 2014 to 2019 and the average 2G speed will grow 1.3-fold (5 % CAGR) in the same time period.

"In South Africa, the average 4G smartphone will generate 7,191 MB of traffic per month by 2019, compared to 3,727 MB for non-4G smartphones," says Cisco.

In February Cisco also said it expected South Africa's 'smart' mobile data traffic to rise to 98% by 2019.

BMI-TechKnowledge put the number of active smartphones in the country at approximately 23 million at the end of 2014.