Here's how much data 3G FaceTime uses
Many people are curious to know how much data FaceTime over 3G actually uses. We put two iPhone 4s to the test, one running FaceTime over 3G, and took before and after screenshots of the data. As you will see, if you do the math …
Context & Ripple Effects
FaceTime’s arrival coincides with evidence that iPhone owners use substantially more mobile data than BlackBerry owners, making the cost of bandwidth-intensive features a practical adoption issue. A same-day jailbreak route for FaceTime on 3G expands the relevance of a usage test beyond Wi-Fi-only calling.
The article supplies an empirical data point for iPhone 4 owners weighing mobile video calls against their data allowance, rather than treating FaceTime as a feature with no network cost.
First-order effects
- iPhone 4 owners considering the jailbreak-enabled 3G option gain a concrete basis for estimating how FaceTime calls affect their mobile-data usage.
Second-order effects
- The finding makes data consumption part of the comparison between FaceTime and existing 3G video and voice calling on iPhone, shifting attention from calling features alone to the bandwidth each service consumes.
Third-order effects
- As video calling moves onto cellular networks, mobile-data usage becomes a product constraint alongside handset capabilities, particularly for iPhone users already associated with heavier consumption.
The trend: Mobile communications are adding video features that turn network data use into a more visible part of the user experience and purchase decision.