According to a survey of Australian regular Internet users conducted by Ericsson ConsumerLab, 46% of Australians are interested in or currently using connected home services.

Ericsson says that collaboration across industries is pivotal in launching connected home services in Australia and that the key motivators for consumers to use connected services are control, security and the ability to make life easier.

The survey also reveals that smartphone users are more likely to use and be interested in connected home services.

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

Tuffs says 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”.

“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.”

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

Tuffs said 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% of respondents to the Ericsson survey were interested in integrating two or more connected services, and of those 65% indicated would like an integrated service to be provided by one company.