Cat Macintosh, CEO and Co-Founder of Sky Peak Technologies, opened her session with an analogy: a storm. “Eighty percent of the data volume on the networks today comes from streaming video content, and it is this demand that’s driving mobile data usage up exponentially faster than it’s ever gone up before,” Cat explained. The widely cited average of 20GB per smartphone per month, she added, is already outdated.
But rising usage is only half the problem. Subscribers are increasingly price-sensitive. “Even if a subscriber says they’re satisfied with their service, if they get an offer for a cheaper data plan, guess what? They’re going to take it and they’re going to leave you”, Cat warned. Together, these forces create what she calls “the perfect storm that is killing operators’ profitability today.”
Driving Forces Behind the Surge
This storm is driven by two long-term trends: the rise in smartphone subscriptions and the insatiable demand for high-quality streaming, both accelerated by 5G networks. Global forecasts predict mobile data usage will exceed 42GB per smartphone per month by 2029, though Cat believes we’ll get there much sooner – possibly by 2027.
A Different Approach: Cora Mobile Edge
To meet this challenge, SkyPeak Technologies developed Cora Mobile Edge, a patented, device-level solution designed specifically for MVNOs. Unlike traditional network-based approaches, it requires no infrastructure changes or upfront capital. Instead, it leverages anonymised user behaviour intelligence to understand streaming habits in a private and secure way.
By optimising bandwidth and reducing data footprints, Cora Mobile Edge allows operators to onboard more subscribers, cut costs, and increase profitability – all while improving streaming experiences.
AI Precision and Device Intelligence
What sets the system apart is its precision. Cat described it as “intelligently shaping data-intensive content with a scalpel-like precision”. Unlike blunt measures such as throttling, the lightweight application operates on the device itself, ensuring content is right-sized for each screen and use case. This flexibility allows both small regional MVNOs and large-scale operators to benefit.
Flexible Deployment Models
The solution can be deployed in multiple ways: as an SDK within an operator’s app, as a white-label app, embedded directly into Android operating systems, or via fixed wireless options. This adaptability means operators can integrate the technology without disrupting their existing strategies or subscriber experience.
Financial Impact at Scale
Cat illustrated the financial benefits with a practical example: “Let’s say you’ve got 100,000 subs, and half of them are actively streaming video. After you pay for Cora Mobile Edge, you’re still going to drop €1.6 million to your bottom line – that is serious money”. Operators can also monetise further by offering premium “data-maximising” plans, boosting the figure to around €2.25 million.
Benefits for Subscribers and Operators
Subscribers also gain: better streaming quality, longer battery life, access to more competitive data plans, and freedom from wholesale throttling. For operators, the anonymised behavioural insights are a revelation. As Cat noted, “Operators are going, ‘I didn’t realise – I thought TikTok was killing me. No, it’s YouTube.’ It’s really eye-opening”.
Turning a Challenge into an Advantage
Cat closed by reinforcing her core message: the data surge is unavoidable, but it doesn’t have to be destructive. With Cora Mobile Edge, MVNOs can reduce costs, increase ARPU, retain customers, and gain actionable insights – all without touching the network.
“This is what I like to say – show me the money. It’s an easy maths problem. You can deliver more content with less resources, and now you can leverage this storm to your advantage”.
