Android users named biggest data consumers

Android handset owners consume more data on average than users of any other smartphone platform, according to a recent study by network management firm Arieso.

The Android platform beat Apple's iPhone, with data call volumes, network connection time and upload/download volumes higher on average than iPhone 3G and iPhone 4 users.

Data use on the iPhone is growing, however, and Arieso estimates that iPhone 4 owners make 44 per cent more calls than iPhone 3G owners, and consume 41 per cent more data while spending 67 per cent more time connected to the internet.

Among the biggest data consumers are people using Samsung Galaxy and HTC Desire handsets. Samsung owners upload 126 per cent more data than iPhone 3G users, while HTC Desire owners download 41 per cent more data than iPhone 3G users.

One area that has not seen growth, however, is voice. The research found that overall time spent on voice calls is relatively flat in comparison with earlier smartphone models.

"Since the launch of the iPhone 3G, we've seen a multitude of popular new smartphones arrive on the market, successfully driving app and service use. It's a trend that's set to continue," said Arieso chief technical officer Michael Flanagan.

"Operators must now be able to quantify the impact of the devices they support, and how subscribers use them, and prepare their networks accordingly."