Mobile operators will see almost half of data traffic from smartphones, tablets and other 3G and 4G-enabled devices offloaded to Wi-Fi and small cell networks during 2013, according to Juniper Research.

The communications industry analyst's new report, Mobile Data Offload & Onload: Wi-Fi, Small Cell & Carrier-Grade Strategies 2012-2017, predicted that the volume of offset traffic will be equivalent to ten billion movie downloads across the year.

Although the trend towards using Wi-Fi and small cell networks to browse, stream and download on mobile devices will offer welcome respite for carriers struggling to cope with congestion, Juniper warned that these companies could also miss out on revenues from the lost data traffic.

Nitin Bhas, author of the report, said the availability of 4G means consumers are getting used to faster speeds and more data services.

"This increase in user demand for services in turn creates new opportunities within different economic sectors including commerce, energy, health and education, completing a cycle of demand," he added.

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