Streaming service Netflix accounts for over a third of peak-hour downstream Internet traffic in North America, while Facebook and Google are the most common destinations from mobile devices, according to a study. Sandvine, a provider of intelligent broadband network solutions for fixed and mobile operators, has released its latest Global Internet Phenomena Report focusing on North America and Latin America. The report is based on data from a selection of Sandvine’s communications service provider (CSP) customers.

The report contains findings from both fixed and mobile networks, the highlights of which include:

• Netflix continues to slowly increase its domination of North American fixed networks, accounting for 36.5% of downstream traffic in the peak evening hours
  In Latin American, two companies, Facebook and Google, now control over 60% of total mobile traffic in the region
• The release of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare – Ascendance DLC caused a significant spike in bandwidth usage, and accounted for 12% of traffic on one North American fixed network on its release date
• During the season five premiere of Game of Thrones, HBO’s two streaming properties (HBOGO and HBONOW) accounted for 4.1% of traffic on one US fixed network; an increase of over 300% of their average levels
• BitTorrent continues to see a decline in fixed access bandwidth share, and now accounts for only 6.3% of total traffic in North America, and 8.5% in Latin America
• Netflix’s recent decision to encrypt their service will result in the majority of Internet traffic in Latin America and North America being encrypted in 2016

"Network traffic in the Americas seems to be getting increasingly concentrated," said Dave Caputo, CEO, Sandvine. "Netflix continues to rise as a percent of North American fixed network traffic. In Latin America, when you add up the properties of Facebook and Google, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, Google Play, etc., these two Internet giants control over 60% of mobile network traffic. Corporate decisions by these major players, like Netflix’s recent decision to encrypt their streams or Facebook’s decision to auto-play videos uploaded to its site, can instantly and dramatically impact subscribers and all Internet access networks."