According to a survey conducted on behalf of Transaction Network Services (TNS), 84% of U.S. adults now own an Internet-connected device, and 62% feel it improves quality of life.
The survey looked into the types of connected devices subscribers are adopting, their attitudes to the technology and the role they expect it to play in their future lifestyle. The survey results also indicated areas of concern related to security issues that operators will need to address.
Among the findings:
- 84% of consumers own a connected device.
- One in four adults complains that there are not enough connected devices available on the market.
- 67% of men and 58% of women said connected devices improved their quality of life
- 57% of respondents said owning multiple connected devices will be necessary in the future to complete daily tasks and sustain a basic quality of life.
- 72% of respondents said they are concerned about privacy and the safety of their personal information, while 70% were concerned that revealing their location puts their personal safety at risk.
"Our research confirms that connected devices have secured a strong foothold in today's way of life and look set to remain this way," said Bill Versen, chief product officer at TNS. "The key takeaway for operators is that to effectively support subscribers in their adoption of the Internet of Things, they must make important strategic moves now to ensure adequate network capacity and coverage. Infrastructure must be able to handle growing levels of traffic from a diverse range of sources as the web of participating organizations becomes more complex. Interoperability is essential as data starts to flow from wearables, connected cars, vending machines and appliances, for example."
Transaction Network Services commissioned a U.S. international online survey by Kantar TNS in August that covered 1,050 U.S. adults aged 18 to 64.