TNS Operator IoT Intelligence Report: 84% Of US Adults Now Own A Connected Device And 62% Feel It Improves Quality Of Life

Pressures on operator networks are set to grow as subscribers demonstrate an insatiable appetite for connected devices, according to a new report from Transaction Network Services (TNS).  The survey is consistent with the Cisco Visual Network Index* that estimates that there will be over one billion connected 4G cellular devices by 2020, with billions of Internet of Things (IoT) connections from non-cellular devices, such as smart TVs.

TNS’ Operator IoT Intelligence Report: Distinct Patterns Emerge in Subscriber Adoption of Connected Devices reveals the business-critical findings of an independent survey** conducted into the types of connected devices subscribers are adopting, their attitudes to this new technology and the role they expect it to play in their future lifestyle. The report also reveals significant areas of concern related to security issues which operators will need to address.

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The report identifies:

• Connected devices are saturating the market– 84% of consumers own a connected device
• Demand remains high– one in four adults complains that there are not enough connected devices available on the market
• Connected devices boost quality of life– 67% of men and 58% of women said that connected devices improved their quality of life, up significantly from two years ago
• Subscribers believe connected devices will become essential– 57% feel that owning multiple connected devices will be necessary in the future to complete daily tasks and sustain a basic quality of life
• Security fears are real– 72% are concerned about privacy and the safety of their personal information, while 70% are concerned that revealing their location puts their personal safety at risk

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“Our research confirms that connected devices have secured a strong foothold in today’s way of life and look set to remain this way,” says 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.”

TNS Mobile Data Optimization is a hosted compression and optimization solution that can reduce data consumption and file sizes by up to 40%. For operators this increases available bandwidth on the home network, while helping to lower backhaul costs and data roaming fees to visited networks.

Versen adds: “In addition to network capacity, operators will need to consider areas like roaming b****** and settlement models, and adjust their practices accordingly. The b****** models will need to accommodate the different players in IoT and track and measure the extensive amount of data that IoT generates.”

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From small rural operators in the US to the largest multi-national carriers, TNS has over 500 operator customers and comprehensively addresses the needs of wireless and wireline operators globally. TNS’ networks have been specifically designed and configured for the transmission of transaction-related time sensitive data and support a variety of widely accepted communications protocols.

Since its founding in 1990, TNS has grown to provide services in more than 60 countries across the Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific region, and offers 24x7x365 support via its Network Operating Centers in the US, UK and Australia.

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