Netflix now second biggest driver of UK web traffic

Netflix has become the second largest driver of traffic on fixed access networks in the UK and Ireland and is likely to overtake YouTube in the next year, according to new research by broadband network solutions firm Sandvine.

In its Global Internet Phenomena Report 1H2014, Sandvine said that during peak evening hours, Netflix accounted for more than 17.8% of downstream fixed access traffic in the UK and Ireland.

This trailed only YouTube, which accounted for 19.9% of downstream traffic in the UK and Ireland.

“Based on current growth rates, we would expect the video service to be the leading source of network traffic within the next year,” said to Sandvine.

It said that other video streaming services from providers such as the BBC, RTE, and Amazon, account for 1-3% individually – well behind the market’s two leaders.

“Just over two years after its launch, Netflix has become the second largest driver of traffic on fixed access networks in the UK and Ireland. This rapid ascent underscores how important it is that operators have business intelligence solutions in place to accurately measure and monitor the impact that over-the-top services have on their networks,” said Sandvine CEO and president Dave Caputo.