Intel: 90% of 5G data will be video, but AR gaming and VR will grow

A new report from Intel and Ovum lays out the companies’ expectations for the growth of 5G cellular networks over the next decade, and the conclusions are eye-opening: Video will account for 90 percent of 5G data use, but 5G-powered VR and AR will reach a tipping point. And by 2028, gaming — not industrial use — will account for 90 percent of 5G AR data.

The report is a wake-up call for some segments of the entertainment industry as it claims 5G is about to drive $1.3 trillion in new revenues to media and entertainment companies over the next decade. Ovum forecasts that user demand for video data alone will grow from a monthly average of 11.7GB per 5G subscriber in 2019 to 84.4GB in 2028, at that point accounting for 90 percent of all 5G traffic. That’s not just because videos will improve in resolution; they’ll also include additional embedded media and immersive experiences that improve the experience, and video viewing time will increase.