In Saudi Arabia, mobile data traffic will grow 11 folds by 2018, according to a new Cisco study — The Visual Networking Index Global Mobile Data Traffic Forecast for 2013-2018.

Across Middle East and Africa (MEA), mobile data traffic growth is being driven by the world’s fastest uptake of Internet Protocol version 6 (Ipv6)-capable smart phones and tablets, with a CAGR of 35 percent, rising from 133 million in 2013 to almost 598 million in 2018. In the region, smart wearable devices like watches, glasses, and fitness trackers are also slated to post strong growth from 700,000 in 2013 to 8 million in 2018.

“As our personal and business lives become increasingly mobile, MEA is really coming to the fore as early, widespread adopters of the latest smart phone and wearable technology. Driven by one of the most tech-receptive and youthful populations on the planet, this is a region that is now extremely well-placed to lead technological innovation in all aspects of daily life and business, leveraging the emerging power of the Internet of Everything and faster mobile data networks,” said Tarig Enaya, managing director of Cisco Saudi Arabia.

In Saudi Arabia, mobile data traffic will reach 170.3 Petabytes per month by 2018, the equivalent of 43 million DVDs each month or 469 million text messages each second.

In Saudi Arabia, 82 percent of mobile connections will be "smart" connections by 2018, up from 48 percent in 2013.

In Saudi Arabia, 98 percent of mobile data traffic will be "smart"' traffic by 2018, up from 92 percent in 2013.

Business will account for 15 percent of Saudi Arabia's mobile data traffic by 2018, compared to 16 percent at the end of 2013.