Connectivity is changing the way we live our lives—from what we do upon waking up, to how we interact throughout our day, to what we do before we go to bed. Much of our life is now connected. It seems like we’re always “on” or “plugged in.”
Between you, your kids, or your spouse, how many devices do you have in your home? You likely have a smartphone, a tablet, a laptop, gaming console, and maybe even a smart TV. The list of connected devices goes on, and is predicted to keep growing, according to the “Internet of Things.”
Connectivity has shaped the way we’ve conducted business in the real estate market, and connected homes are rapidly transforming the property market. In fact, 50% of home buyers consider reliable internet connection when looking for a property.
As broadband infrastructure continues to take shape and transform, connectivity will continue to affect our lives. Here’s how connectivity is affecting our lives now and how it’s likely to change in the future.
Multiple Connected Devices
Multi-device households are the way of the future. In the same way that mobile devices have revolutionized how we communicate with one another and share information, smart technology within industries and homes is rapidly changing how we work and live. From webinars and videoconferencing on our smartphones to predictive thermostats in homes to GPS-operated tractors within the agricultural industry, we’re turning to smart appliances and smart devices to get things done now more than ever.
Statistics on Connected Devices
Here are some statistics surrounding connectivity and connected devices as of April 2015 from nbn, the designer and operator of Australia’s new broadband network.
- Australian households have—on average—eight connected devices
- 25% of Australians have a smart TV in their household and of those smart TVs, 71% are connected to the internet
- In 2020, Gartner predicts connected devices, including appliances, TVs, and home security systems, will reach 25 billion units.
This last year, Australians downloaded one million terabytes of data to devices, including laptops and smartphones. There is undoubtedly growing demand for web content and faster download speeds. In addition to an increase in connected devices, there is also an increase in the need for concurrency.
Increased Demand for Concurrency
Concurrency is really the ability to have multiple devices connected over the internet at the same time. For example, it’s the ability to have your TV, your laptop, your smartphone, and your tablet all connected at once while still running smoothly.
As more and more connected devices emerge and the “internet of things” takes shape, concurrency will be more important than ever. The more demand for web content and connected devices increases, the more important it will be for every household to have superior broadband connection. It’s what drives efficiency, and a broadband connection that’s reliable and performs well will make all the difference as our lives become increasingly more connected.
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