Report: Verizon, Sprint account for 63% of nation's mobile data traffic

In 2009, Verizon Wireless and Sprint each carried more than 16 billion more megabytes of mobile network data than AT&T, according to a new report.

According to ABI Research, Verizon Wireless carried the most mobile data, followed by Sprint. Together, they accounted for 63 percent of the U.S. market's data traffic.

A few takeaways from the report:

• AT&T had the most activated data devices in 2009.
• Laptop mobile data connections have the most impact on operator data traffic levels.
• As you might have guessed, mobile broadband laptop connections to Verizon and Sprint far exceed AT&T's laptop connections.

According to ABI, Verizon will maintain the top data traffic position over the next five years. AT&T is predicted to surpass Sprint by 2012, with Sprint still ahead of T-Mobile.

And perhaps the most important point: all operators will see mobile data traffic levels increase eightfold from 2010 through 2014.