9:30 AM -- There are signs that new mobile data charging models are starting to emerge in the latest Mobile Trends report from deep packet inspection (DPI) specialist Allot Ltd. (Nasdaq: ALLT) (See Video Streams, Carriers Scream.)

Gathering price plan details from more than 50 mobile operators, Allot says that 32 percent of those operators already use "application-aware" charging models. In such a model, for example, an operator would opt not to count against a subscriber's data cap any data used through a specific social media app.

Allot also found that 51 percent of those operators do not offer unlimited data plans while 89 percent charge for data based on volume.

The study also collected data on mobile apps usage between Jan. 1 and June 30 this year from mobile operators worldwide with a combined 250 million subscribers, using its NetXplorer centralized management and reporting system. Here are the highlights:

The report encapsulates just one vendor's view on mobile data usage trends, but it's a handy snapshot of the most popular mobile apps, mobile traffic patterns and how operators are adapting through new charging models.

— Michelle Donegan, European Editor, Light Reading Mobile