Redzone shows 43% increase in data use in Maine
Courtesy / Redzone Wireless
Data use has increased almost 43% over one week in Maine.
The amount of daily data consumption has increased 43% as more people have stayed at home in Maine during the coronavirus crisis, according to Redzone Wireless LLC.
Not only is there an increase in overall daily data usage, but also significant shifts in network utilization rates by time of day, particularly between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m., the company reported in a news release.
Among Maine households with an average of four family members simultaneously using broadband-enabled devices and applications — including educational video conferencing, media streaming, VPN remote business applications, and gaming systems — the aggregate measured bandwidth requirements, while elevated, remained under 20 megabits per second (Mbps) for download speed, and below 3 Mbps for upload speeds.
Jim McKenna, Redzone president and CEO, said, “While the health and safety of our employees and customers are our paramount concerns, we also recognize the critical role that a fast and reliable broadband connection plays in helping Maine families and businesses, especially high risk populations, navigate the challenges associated with extreme social distancing."
The data used for the calculation was measured across thousands of Maine households during the most recent two-week period, including analytics for in-use devices by type and application. These findings stand in stark contrast to widespread public conjecture that consumers require dramatically faster broadband speeds to thrive in the digital economy, the company said.
More access at the right time
The top 20 applications for the week of March 16-31 were:
1. Netflix
2. Amazon / Prime
3. Facebook / Instagram
4. Hulu
5. Zoom Video
6. YouTube
7. Xbox Gaming
8. Disney+
9. Twitter
10. Slack
According to the ConnectME Authority Maine’s 2019 digital divide consisted of 80,000 locations across the state that lack access to 25 Mbps broadband service. Redzone reported that it narrowed Maine’s broadband gap by 10%, by providing new access to 8,000 under-served locations after completing its 2019 expansion. In total, Redzone now provides True broadband coverage to 350,000 households, representing over 63% of all Maine homes.
“The current national COVID-19 pandemic calls upon everyone in Maine to work together," said Michael Forcillo, executive vice president of Redzone Wireless. "We wish to express our deepest thanks to all Maine’s health care workers, first responders and the thousands of unsung heroes in our communities that work every day to provide our essential services.
"Broadband connectivity is an equally essential service for individuals, particularly in rural Maine communities. Redzone is committed to leveling the digital playing field so all Mainers can benefit from affordable True broadband connectivity.”
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