We’ve all streamed a movie or two on our phones without thinking much about the data it’s using — but that could soon change. Our insatiable demand for cellular data is pushing networks to their limits. With the rise of 5G devices and services, the surge in data consumption is edging us toward a potential crisis.

• Cellular data usage in the US hit an astounding 100T megabytes in 2023 — double the amount from 2021 and far beyond the 3T megabytes used in 2013.
• The US wireless industry group CTIA warns that if we keep this pace, cellular providers could face a severe spectrum shortage by 2027.

The bandwidth bottleneck: This looming crisis isn’t just about slower Netflix streams — congestion threatens to disrupt crucial 5G services in transportation, manufacturing, and even home internet. Congressional gridlock, regulatory disputes, and the public’s assumption that wireless data is limitless are all contributing to the problem. To make matters worse, the FCC lost its ability to auction off more spectrum last March, limiting carriers’ access to the airwaves they need. Despite skyrocketing data use, MoffettNathanson points out that revenue per user has remained flat over the past five years. This growing demand without increased profits only adds to the pressure carriers are facing.