Gotta catch ‘em all: Data usage may spike to 3.8GB as Pokémon Go fever heats up

Thanks to telco subscribers in search of Pokémons.

Following the release of the much-awaited Pokémon Go in Singapore last weekend, some industry experts predict data usage to spike up by as much as 500 MB, according to OCBC Investment Research.

This would mean that the average monthly data usage will likely increase from the current 3.3 GB to 3.8 GB.

Pokémon Go, which utilizes geo-location and augmented reality features on mobile devices, have been one of the most downloaded applications in Singapore since its release.

The game could not have been more timely, as telcos Singtel, M1, and StarHub announced free data usage during Singapore's celebration of its National Holiday on Tuesday.

Singtel and M1 rolled out a whole day unlimited data usage for its subscribers while StarHub provided its patrons an additional 1GB free data that could be used for the whole month of August.

Meanwhile, several business have jumped on the Pokémon Go craze, strategizing on how to use some of the game's features to their advantage. 

“Separately, these industry watchers also expect the current Pokemon Go fever to boost F&B sales and even retail footfall as many of the ‘PokeStops’ are located around shopping malls and famous landmarks,” OCBC said.

Plenty of malls are capitalizing the so called PokéStops in attracting shoppers and customers. These hotspots are typical go-to places for collecting free items in the game to help players advance.

For instance, the first 100 daily shoppers in Ion Orchard who present a screenshot of the Pokémon they caught inside the mall are treated with a free drink or dessert.

The City Square Mall, Resorts World Sentosa, and some restaurants across Singapore followed suit and hooked their customers with their own promotions and discounts.