Sandvine report: North American homes average seven active connected devices

PCs now account for less than 25% of network traffic

WATERLOO, ON, Aug. 24, 2016 /CNW/ - Sandvine, (TSX:SVC) a leading provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, today released its latest Global Internet Phenomena Report Spotlight focusing on devices inside the connected home. The report is based on data from a small selection of Sandvine's fixed communications service provider (CSP) customers in North America.

Sandvine's Global Internet Phenomena Spotlight: Inside the Connected Home contains a number of revelatory facts, the highlights of which include:

• The average household now has over seven active devices in use each day, with 6% of households having more than 15 active devices
• Laptop and desktop PCs now account for less than 25% of total traffic on fixed access networks
• Mobile devices (tablets and smartphones) on fixed Wi-Fi networks now account for almost 30% of North American fixed access traffic. This phenomenon known as "home roaming" accounted for only 9% of traffic five years ago.
• On PlayStation 4 consoles, game play traffic is only responsible for 2.5% of the total traffic that device generates. Video streaming (65%), e.g., using the device to access Netflix, and game downloads (25%) make up the majority of their bandwidth consumption
• In the United States, PCs were responsible for 61% of Olympic streaming traffic on a typical day. Roku devices (10%), were the set-top box of choice, beating Amazon Fire TV (3.9%) and Apple TV (3.3%)
• On one network, the top consuming Netflix device (over 12%) was not a game console or web browser, but the operator's branded television set-top box that allows OTT applications

"The ability to understand what is happening within the connected home is valuable data that communications service providers can use to ensure they are providing their subscribers with the best possible experience", said Don Bowman, CTO, Sandvine.

Sandvine's connected home data reflects real network usage by subscribers. Other reports attempt to track device usage by relying on sales figures and consumer surveys, an inherently less reliable approach.

Check out Sandvine's Internet Phenomena blog on a regular basis for the latest trends, predictions and phenomena impacting Internet usage around the world.

ABOUT SANDVINE
Sandvine's network policy control solutions add intelligence to fixed, mobile and converged communications service provider networks, to increase revenue, reduce network costs and improve subscriber quality of experience. Our networking solutions perform end-to-end policy control functions, including traffic classification, policy decision and enforcement. Deployed as virtualized network functions or on Sandvine's purpose built hardware, the products provide actionable business insight, and the ability to deploy new consumer and business subscriber services, optimize and secure network traffic, and engage with subscribers.

Sandvine's network policy control solutions are deployed in more than 300 networks in over 100 countries, serving hundreds of millions of data subscribers worldwide. www.sandvine.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this release which are not historical facts constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ("forward-looking statements") and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of such laws. Statements related to the scope of deployment of Sandvine's products by a specific customer, the potential revenue opportunity with any particular customer or in any market segment, the benefits of Sandvine's products and services to be realized by customers, Sandvine's market position, future opportunities, product development plans and demand for Sandvine's products and services are forward looking statements, as are any statements relating to future events, conditions or circumstances. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve both known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Sandvine to differ materially from the results, performance, achievements or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, changes in internal deployment strategies or plans by specific customers; the growth of broadband internet usage and levels of capital spending on broadband network management systems; the timing of orders and manufacturing lead times; changes in customer order patterns or customer mix; insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; increased competition in the broadband network equipment industry; dependence on the timely development and market acceptance of new product offerings and standards; rapid technological and market change; manufacturing and sourcing risks including dependence on key suppliers and key technologies; dependence upon indirect channel sales and resellers; factors such as business and economic conditions and growth trends in the broadband network equipment industry and in various geographic regions; global economic conditions and uncertainties in the geopolitical environment including the impact of regulation related to the internet and the delivery of internet services. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions, and Sandvine does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change, except to the extent required by applicable law.

SOURCE Sandvine

INVESTOR CONTACT, Rick Wadsworth, Sandvine, [phone] ext. 3503, [email protected]; MEDIA CONTACT, Dan Deeth, Sandvine, [phone], [email protected]