A new research paper predicts connected devices in the average Australian home are expected to triple by 2020.

In recent years, there has been an explosion of Internet-connected devices in the home.

This is mainly due to technological advances in computing and a reduction in the size of processors, memory and network connection devices.

A new research paper from Telsyte - and commissioned by nbn - titled Internet Uninterrupted: Australian Households of the Connected Future  examines how technology usage is changing and what this means for different Australian households.

Australian app-etite growing

The greatest surprise has not been that we have seen this increase, but rather how quickly these devices have come into the market.

The report reveals that as recently as 1996, only 31 per cent of Australian households regularly used a computer at home. Of these, only about a quarter were connected to the Internet via a modem.

In just over a decade, there was an explosion of devices connected to the Internet. So much so, that by 2009 the number of Internet-connected Australian households had more than doubled, to 72 per cent.

Fast forward to today, the average Australian household now has nine connected devices (during peak times) and this number will only increase.

The report forecasts that by 2020, the average Australian household will have 29 connected devices as Internet connectivity is built into everything in the home - from appliances and lighting to home security.

The changing household landscape

While this expansion of devices is happening across the household landscape, how these devices are being used changes based on the household type.

The report explores five distinct archetypes:

1. The Hectic Household
2. The Suburban Dreamers
3. The City Living
4. The Shared Household
5. The Empty Nesters

Click here to learn more about these household types.

What's ahead?

There are many other technological advances that will affect Australia’s broadband network. Some of these include:

1. An increase in ways to entertain ourselves, with streaming services and Internet content all containing higher quality video
2. The introduction of connected devices or the Internet of Things (IoT).
3. Home automation and Machine to Machine communication.

From home control to concurrent connectivity, a fast and reliable broadband network enable a better digital future for all.

Are we ready for the future?

In simple terms, the higher the number of apps, devices and people connected to the Internet, the more bandwidth required.

Think of it like a highway, the more cars you add to the infrastructure, the busier the road will get. These devices also need enough room around them to avoid “collisions” with other devices.

To counter this, Australia needs to expand its Internet infrastructure to prepare for the predicted influx of connected devices.

A quick review of the current state of Australian households reveals that the existing broadband network was not designed to deal with the current or future demands placed on it, particularly as the number of devices in the home continue to grow.

The nbn™ network will make use of a range of technologies to ensure more Australians have access to an internet that is capable of handling all of their household needs.

Check your address to see if you can connect to the nbn™ network.