The busiest time for Brits to connect is from 7-8pm, with the average person sending 11 messages and making 4 calls during their phone’s peak usage hour.
Across an entire day, Brits make an average of 30 calls and messages, while Londoners average 80% more than anywhere else in the UK with 54.
Gen Z are the biggest chatterboxes, sending an average of 50 messages per day, closely followed by Millennials (49).
Although WhatsApp is the most popular method of connecting with friends for all age groups (51%), a quarter of Gen Z (25%) say that they most frequently use social media apps like Snapchat or Instagram to contact their pals.
Two-thirds of the nation (66%) agree that daily digital connection is essential for maintaining relationships and 60% also believe they would have less contact with their loved ones if it wasn’t for their phones.
The research – commissioned by Vodafone – also found that the capital is the UK’s most connected region, with Londoners sending an average of 50 messages each day, followed by Scotland (43) and Wales (30).
Vodafone’s London network data shows us that those in the south make 400k more calls than the north, yet it’s Central Londoners who are using the most data.
Following the research, Londoners may have spotted a striking new interactive installation in the capital, as Vodafone brought to life millions of connections on its network to celebrate being named London’s Best Network for a second year running.
In a unique demonstration of the power of connection, the ‘Connected Heartbeat’ ebbs, flows and glows in real time as it reacts to use of 4G and 5G data as well as calls and texts made by Londoners on Vodafone’s network.
Vodafone UK’s Andrea Donà said: “Seeing our network brought to life in such a striking way is fascinating and something that has never been done before.
“We power millions of connections in the city every single day, and what better way to celebrate this than by putting it in shining lights. We know staying connected night and day is important, whether that’s for work or being able to check-in with loved ones on-the-go.”
The one-of-a-kind, heart-shaped structure in London’s iconic Trafalgar Square was designed in partnership with local artist, Frankie Curtis, and features her unique line drawing map of the city and signature doodles highlighting the capital’s most iconic landmarks.
In a clever visualisation of its network, the ‘Connected Heartbeat’ was powered by data from over 2000 of Vodafone’s London network towers, which travels in real time to the structure and is displayed via thousands of light points.
With the city making nearly 16 million calls and using 1.7PB of data per day on Vodafone’s network alone, it’s been revealed that Westminster, Newham and Canary Wharf are the busiest areas in the capital on a weekday – making up 17% of the total voice and data usage in London as a whole. Westminster is the busiest borough when it comes to data usage and tops the table for voice calls with 1 million per day.
Powering up the installation, broadcaster Roman Kemp challenged fellow radio host and Londoner Melvin Odoom and commuters to get the interactive piece of art glowing by connecting with friends and loved ones.
Curtis said: “Growing up in London, I’ve always felt connected to the city and its wonderful characteristics. So, working on the Connected Heartbeat with Vodafone to put my spin on its iconic landmarks has been a joy.”
Kemp said: “I have lived in the capital for years now and to see my fellow Londoners waking up and connecting with others in real time as they go about their day and as a piece of art is really cool and innovative. I’ve never seen anything like it, and it really shows the power of connection and how integral it is to the fabric of our daily lives.”
Vodafone has helped over three million people and businesses cross the digital divide as part of its everyone.connected campaign. Across London, Vodafone has donated over 300,000 SIMs through the campaign since the start of 2021.