NBN research shows middling smart home adoption

New research from NBN Co has shown that Australian adoption of smart home technology has been pretty slow so far. 

According to the network builder, only 20% of Australians have smart home devices that help them save time on chores (robot vacuums, smart fridges, etc), 19% have smart home security equipment, and 18% have smart plugs, smart bulbs, or other smart tech to help them save on electricity. The research didn't cover devices like smart speakers or smart TVs.

However, almost 50% of Australians say they want to use technology to keep them their home safe within the next ten years. Similarly, 36% of Australians want technology that will make their home more environmentally responsible, and 33% are interested in technology that supports their health and well-being at home.

In addition, more than 50% of Australians are planning to add smart devices to their home in the next 12 months.

NBN Co's research comes off the back of its free network updates, which will see 90% of fixed-line NBN customers able to order a gigabit plan by the end of 2025. Over two million homes can upgrade (or have already) upgraded from FTTN or FTTC to FTTP as part of the initiative.

NBN Co says the future demand for connected devices is a key driver for the upgrade program.

"Australians have a huge appetite for technology in the home and the need for broadband will reach levels never seen before over the next decade as the internet transforms the world and how we live," said NBN Co Chief Customer Officer, Anna Perrin.

"We are continually investing in, and future readying, the network to stay ahead of growing demand for more connected technologies."

For its research, NBN Co surveyed 2,046 Australians aged 16 and older with an internet connection at home.

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