Streaming in the stadium
Taylor Swift creates masses of data in mobile phone networks
A fan takes a photo of a “Swiftkirchen” sign before the concert of singer Taylor Swift in Gelsenkirchen. During the concert in the evening, data consumption in the mobile phone networks in the Veltins Arena increased significantly. Photo
© Oliver Berg/dpa
Experiencing Taylor Swift on stage in front of you – some fans are so excited that they want to share their experience directly on the Internet. This has an impact on mobile phone networks.
O2 Telefónica reported that around 4,000 gigabytes of data were transferred during the concert, more than twice as much as at the AC/DC concert in the Veltins Arena in May. Compared to the European Championship match between Spain and Italy in the stadium a month ago, the “Swifties” used 40 percent more data. The US singer’s fans took photos and videos and sent them to family and friends, they made video calls during the concert and recorded them, which they transmitted via web stream.
Swifties don’t just pull out their smartphones
What was striking was the difference in data usage between football supporters and fans of the US singer. Football fans send a lot of data when they arrive at the stadium and watch the team warming up. The kick-off also gives another reason to record a video, which is then sent straight away. After that, however, data usage drops – then many spectators leave their smartphones in their pockets and look at the pitch.
When goals are scored or a penalty is blown, some stadium visitors pull out their mobile phones and take pictures, which they often send afterwards – so there are short bursts of data traffic in between. It’s different with the US singer’s songs: visitors use their smartphones continuously to transmit live images and videos to social media. Vodafone says that data volume remained at a consistently high level throughout Taylor Swift’s concert.