Ericsson ConsumerLab reveals Energy & Utilities, security and health are key enablers of the Connected Home

• Half of all consumers are interested in connected home services.
• The delivery of home security, energy and utilities and health and wellness are most interesting connected home services.
• Collaboration across industries is pivotal in launching connected home services.

Ericsson’s latest ConsumerLab study “Connected Homes” shows consumers have a strong interest in connected home services and reveals that control, security and the ability to make life easier are key motivators to use connected services.

Home security, energy & utility and health services have the highest level of interest and are considered to be the foundation services for the connected home. The report identifies security companies, energy companies and telecom providers as a potential provider for integrated connected home service offerings.

Data from another Ericsson ConsumerLab survey of Australian regular internet users shows that 46 percent of Australian respondents are interested in or currently using connected home services. In addition, smartphone users are more likely to use and be interested in connected home services.

Lisa Tuffs, Ericsson Practice Lead, Industry & Society South East Asia & Oceania, says: “We can see that there are many potential suppliers of connected home services and believe that collaboration across industries will be pivotal in launching services and addressing consumer concerns.”

Trust is highlighted as an important consideration when choosing services providers for the connected home, especially considering the nature of data that services will provide, companies also need to have a local presence.

Tuffs adds: “In the utilities space, we see the opportunity for energy companies to leverage local presence, customer relationships and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meter deployments to enable new digital service offerings such as home energy management systems and appliance management systems. We see an opportunity for interconnection of appliances to operate in concert with pricing incentives to reduce peak demand and improve integration of renewable energy sources, power storage and demand response. When considering launching connected services the report shows that; lack of perceived benefit, cost and the belief that services are difficult or complicated to use are as barriers for adoption.”

While connected homes aim to provide simplicity in life, an increasing amount of equipment, devices and services in the home can add complexity. Ericsson ConsumerLab research showed that that many would like to avoid the complex set up which comes with some services.

The Ericsson ConsumerLab research explored the question of integrated services, which entails all-in-one systems in the home for devices and services, such as lighting, energy and security. Findings show that 40 percent of respondents were interested in integrating two or more connected services, and of those 65 percent would like an integrated service to be provided by one company.

Ericsson supports the development of these Connected Home services through our vision for the Networked Society. Through our expert Utility sector and ICT specialists, our customer experience application development capability, our globally industrialized and proven processes, systems and tools, plus technology that includes Ericsson’s M2M platform, we bring these exciting new services to life to empower individuals, businesses and our society.

NOTES TO EDITORS

Download high-resolution photos and broadcast-quality video at www.ericsson.com/press

Ericsson is the driving force behind the Networked Society – a world leader in communications technology and services. Our long-term relationships with every major telecom operator in the world allow people, business and society to fulfill their potential and create a more sustainable future.

Our services, software and infrastructure – especially in mobility, broadband and the cloud – are enabling the telecom industry and other sectors to do better business, increase efficiency, improve the user experience and capture new opportunities.

With more than 115,000 professionals and customers in 180 countries, we combine global scale with technology and services leadership. We support networks that connect more than 2.5 billion subscribers. Forty percent of the world’s mobile traffic is carried over Ericsson networks. And our investments in research and development ensure that our solutions – and our customers – stay in front.

Founded in 1876, Ericsson has its headquarters in Stockholm, Sweden. Net sales in 2014 were SEK 228 billion (USD 33.1 billion). Ericsson is listed on NASDAQ OMX stock exchange in Stockholm and the NASDAQ in New York.

www.ericsson.com  
www.ericsson.com/press  
www.twitter.com/ericssonpress 
www.facebook.com/ericsson  
www.youtube.com/ericsson  

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Selina O’Connor
Head of Communications, Ericsson Australia & New Zealand
Phone: +61 467 787970
E-mail: Selina.o.connor@ericsson.com