It is well known that mass events involve A challenge for telecommunications networksAnd football matches are obviously no exception. In the last edition of the Champions League, for example, the semi-finals caused up to 25% more data traffic. than in the previous days.
These traffic peaks occur especially in the vicinity of the stadium, but the increase in data consumption affects the entire country. The proof of this is that the Masorange network has marked Two historic records for 5G mobile traffic This summer: the final of the European Championship and the start of La Liga.
5G mobile traffic doubled in July
Image: RTVE
Every summer, the big operators strengthen their mobile networks both on beaches and tourist areas, as well as at festivals and other events with large audiences. It was done with 4G and is now done with 5G.
This year, however, there have been two specific events that have caused a huge increase in data consumption at the national level. The best proof of this is in the two historical records for total data traffic on Masorange mobile networks.
According to the company, the historic record of mobile traffic handled by Masorange’s 4G and 5G networks occurred in the week of July 8-14 2024, coinciding with the triumphs of the Spanish team at the European Championship and Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
Image: RTVE
During that week, compared to the same period last year, the volume of data registered a increase close to 30%This increase was mainly due to the use that customers made of mobile connectivity to enjoy these sporting events from their mobile or tablet. In other words, video streaming was to blame.
The increase was mainly due to the use of mobile connectivity to enjoy sporting events from a mobile phone or tablet.
To give us an idea, the ‘RTVE Play’ platform had 18,743,000 unique visitors in July and reached almost 100 million views. Spain’s matches exceeded one million live views and on-demand consumption soared by 150% during the Euro Cup.
If we look specifically at the Masorange 5G network, throughout that week in July, in which these two sporting events were televised, 5G mobile data traffic doubled compared to the same period last year. These are Masorange’s figures, but probably Movistar and Vodafone
The second historic milestone in the Masorange network occurred between August 12 and 18with an increase of almost 15% in mobile traffic compared to the same week in 2023. In this case, it was due to the start of LaLiga.
The highest volume of traffic was recorded specifically at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 18, at the game between Mallorca and Real Madridwhich marked Mbappé’s debut in the Spanish LaLiga.
Cover image | Masorange