By Supriya B NIntroductionSource of data on mobile service usageComparison of alternative methodsFuture OutlookConclusion1G1!"1# $enmark% It used &nalog technology'G1!!1# Finland% (sed GS) Standards%*G'++1# ,apan% (sed -C$)& Standards.G'++/# (sed 012 standards-hy mobile data service usage is re3uired 4eliable and transparent information on enduser behaviourvaluabletomanystakeholders5e%g%marketing#business 6productdevelopment#academics789butnotoften available-hy should :e compare alternative methods0ots of research using ;real; or ;empiric; data on usage of 0iterature study ? practical 1he research Surveys on 1% On handset panel participants'%@andset monitoring panels*%)obile operator charging and billing systems.%1raffic measurements at mobile operator Internet gate:aySurveys and panels)obile handset monitoring1raffic measurements at :ireless access net:orks(sage accounting systems of :ireless access net:orksSome server measurementsArivacy legislationArivacy concerns4esource limitationsImprovements at handsets# routers# servers%%%all automated methods to become more importantB Increased comple=ity# user base fragmentation surveys some:hat less potent Convergence of devices and radio technologies# usageevents 5e%g% offline usage7 not other:ise measurable mobile handsets a promising place to measure Concentration of services to big players 5e%g% Google7 lots of information on user behaviour $ivergence of traffic to other :ireless access net:orks 'GC*G mobile net:orks some:hat less usefulNo single method for all situations8 Surveys and handset monitoring D detailed sample based data8 -ireless access net:ork measurements D less detailed data# large scope8 Server measurements Ddetailed data# focused scope &utomated methods to complement surveys in the future8 &ll automated methods to become more important8 Surveys still provide something not directly measurable )obile handsets and certain server methods seem most potential# 'GC*G net:orks some:hat less useful