Ireland Sees 19% Surge in Mobile Data Usage Amid Storms

A significant increase in mobile data usage has been reported in Ireland, with a remarkable 19% surge recorded in the past year, as detailed in a recent annual report by telecommunications leader Vodafone. The data shows that from 2024 to 2025, usage escalated from 445,133 terabytes (TB) to 530,794 TB, equating to nearly half a petabyte.

The highest volume of data consumption occurred on December 9, coinciding with the impact of Storm Bram. On this day, Irish users consumed 1,660 TB of data, as many turned to their devices to stay connected while facing severe weather conditions. This spike highlights the critical role mobile communication plays during emergencies.

Evenings emerged as the prime time for mobile engagement, with 10 PM identified as the busiest hour for online activity. Despite the increasing reliance on data, Vodafone’s findings indicate a decline in traditional voice calls, which saw an 8% decrease year-on-year. This trend suggests a growing preference for messaging applications, video calls, and social media platforms over conventional voice communication.

Interestingly, March 26 marked the peak day for voice calls, with Vodafone customers making approximately 10 million calls, averaging three minutes each. The festive season also saw heightened activity, with 3.4 million calls made on Christmas Day and 4.5 million on New Year’s Day.

Vodafone also noted specific events that contributed to spikes in data usage. For instance, the Irish rugby team’s Autumn international match against world champions South Africa at the Aviva Stadium on November 22 generated around 15,000 calls. Concerts by artists such as Dua Lipa and Lana Del Rey during the summer also led to substantial data consumption, with Vodafone managing over 5 TB of mobile data as fans shared countless photos, videos, and live streams on social media.

These trends underline the evolving landscape of communication in Ireland, where mobile data has become essential for connectivity, especially during critical times. The growing preference for digital interaction over traditional voice calls reflects broader shifts in consumer behavior and technology adoption.