What's an app developer to do?

It is not a new story that apps are draining mobile networks. According to Virgin Media Business, which studied data usage of the 50 most popular mobile apps in the UK, the hungriest software, Tap Zoo, uses up to 115 MB per hour and now with eReaders firmly in the mix, the problem of bandwidth consumption is almost at a tipping point.

Mobile operators introducing limits on data usage is one way to control traffic levels, but with demand for the mobile web growing rapidly, and 3G-enabled tablets and eReaders heading into ubiquity, this is just a bandage to cover a much larger issue.

While these hourly data utilisation rates are lower than streaming video or other online media, users often jump in and out of apps at various times throughout a day or week. Virgin Media’s estimate is that the typical smartphone owner uses apps for over 650 minutes per month, and app usage is on the rise, so it would be short-sighted to dismiss the mobile broadband usage required by data-hungry software on smartphones.

So how does this bandwidth squeeze affect mobile app developers and how can the next “Angry Birds” be developed with pressure points from less bandwidth?

App developers have been working in the luxury of an environment of a “sky’s the limit” approach when it comes to the amount of data they can use. So it is going to be savvy developers that implement changes in the way they develop apps that will ensure consumers are not stung by extra usage charges from mobile operators and suffer from signal drain.

With trials of 4G networks in Cornwall starting in September, there is still at least a couple of years before a UK wide launch of the spectrum takes place. Once a new network is available there will be significant increase in data capacity and speed available. According to the ITU - a UN agency that regulates information and communication technology, the 4G network should be able to exchange data at a rate of up to 100Mps – to put that in perspective, data speeds on a 3G network can currently be as slow as 3.8Mbs, so the increase is very significant.

Even with the new spectrum around the corner, developers still need to think smarter about how they produce their products. Developers should start using better compression technologies. They can adjust the client server architecture so that more of their data is cached or stored on the devices to limit any data refreshes to avoid any further costs to consumers from their mobile operator.

As advancement of technology continues to grow at break-neck speed, developers can no longer just rely on bandwidth availability. It is those developers who really get under the skin of how more data space can be created using innovative ways of data architecture that will allow consumers to enjoy apps without any additional usage charge from their mobile operator or signal loss from a continual drain on the network.

To find out more about the Kingston Smith technology team click here