Netflix increased its share of fixed-line internet traffic in North America in the first half of 2014, accounting for 34 per cent of data flowing to consumers during peak times.
The figure is up from 32 per cent in the latter half of 2013, according to a new report from Canadian networking services company Sandvine Inc.
Sandvine also found file-sharing - the main tool of content piracy - had fallen to 8.3 per cent of all daily network traffic, compared to 31 per cent in 2008, as legitimate options flourished.
Sandvine for the first time identified internet users who are likely "cord cutters," or those likely to drop traditional pay TV. They were the top 15 per cent heaviest users of streaming audio and video.
The group accounted for 54 per cent of all internet traffic, consuming on average 212 gigabytes of data per month.
That would be roughly equivalent to watching 100 hours of video per month, Sandvine said.
Meanwhile, the bottom 15 per cent of streamers accounted for less than one per cent of all traffic, averaging under five GB of data per month and streaming entertainment less than one hour a month.
The report comes amid public feuding between Netflix and internet service providers about who should pay for network improvements needed to maintain quality video streams.
Federal regulators are also proposing rules that could permit new fast lanes on the internet for companies that pay for the privilege.
Share
