Media over Wireless: Networks for Ubiquitous Video explores the escalating demands and trends around consumer behavior for video and immersive experiences over wireless networks. XR applications are placing new demands on wireless networks, which, in their current form, will be unable to handle the next generation of immersive entertainment.
Today, demand for entertainment over wireless is voracious, whereby:
<ul>
<li>Video accounts for 69% of all data traffic over the internet</li>
<li>On smartphones, 74% of data consumption is video, driven by social media clips, embedded video, and streaming platforms</li>
<li>26% of consumers watch subscription services (e.g. Netflix, Prime Video) on their smartphone, compared to 41% on TVs</li>
<li>By the end of 2024, mobile gaming revenues reached $85 billion</li>
</ul>
The XR market is growing rapidly, and by 2031, it is expected that the number of XR devices shipped will increase 4x over 2025 levels, to reach 83 million units globally. Without significant upgrades to the network, the market risks facing stalled adoption of immersive devices, especially given that 40% of consumers today report dissatisfaction with network performance, where video demands are not as intensive as XR. 5G-Advanced and forthcoming 6G architectures will be essential to unlocking the full potential of immersive and XR content.