Consumers want home networks

A Jupiter survey shows 80 per cent of users want greater access

Eighty per cent of internet users throughout Europe are interested in setting up home-networking systems, according to a report by Jupiter Research.

The research demonstrates that while current home-networking levels remain low, there is strong demand for activities empowered by new Wi-Fi technology, which allows different devices to communicate wirelessly.

Jupiter Research’s consumer survey shows that the two key factors in home-network adoption are the ability to share broadband internet connections, and to have greater access to digital media such as MP3 music on a home stereo.

In addition to connection sharing, other perceived benefits of home networking include operating many devices from a single portable device, the lack of additional cabling and the desire to watch PC video on a TV set.

The fact that the avoidance of new cabling was cited by 37 per cent of respondents demonstrates the demand for Wi-Fi among home users.

Immediate opportunities exist for networking hardware vendors, broadband providers and consumer electronics manufacturers to take advantage. Those companies that correctly identify the demand and design products to target consumers directly will be the winners in wireless applications, claims Jupiter.

“While the industry focus is mostly on public Wi-Fi hotspots, our research proves the near-term consumer opportunity is in the home and garden, not in a café or on the road,” says Jupiter analyst Ian Fogg. “This is significant for Europe’s broadband providers because our results also show that broadband users are more interested in home networks than are dial-up users.”