The “Internet of Things” or IoT is becoming an increasingly growing topic of conversation both in the workplace and home. It’s an idea that not only has the potential to impact how we live but also how we work. But what exactly is the “Internet of things” and what impact is it going to have on you? There are a lot of technical and policy-related conversations, yet many people are still just trying to grasp the groundwork of what exactly is happening.
Broadband Internet is become more widely available, the cost of connecting is decreasing, more devices are being created with Wi-Fi capabilities and sensors built into them, technology costs are going down, and smartphone penetration is sky-rocketing. All of these things are creating a “perfect storm” for the IoT.
Simply put, the “Internet of Things” is the concept of connecting any device with an on/off switch to the Internet (and/or to each other).
Looking around the house, have you ever noticed how many things are actually connected to the internet? You may have a smart TV, cellphone, thermostat, laptop, baby monitor, refrigerator or maybe even a vacuum cleaner, all connected to the internet. The Internet of Things is here.
It’s no surprise that in a recent survey conducted by a company called Morning Consult, 24% of respondents say they have between six and ten internet-connected devices in their home. Since that number is only going to get larger, it’s important for internet speeds to continue to grow at their current fast pace, to support all those new gadgets.
Just as engineers build larger roads to prepare for population booms, ISP’s, like Craw-Kan, are laying the groundwork for in-home gigabit speeds to prepare for the rapid rise of connected devices.