Australians are set to have their most connected holiday season ever, with internet usage expected to surge by 30 per cent this December compared with the same time last year, according to a new research report released by nbn.
The nbn™ Season of Connectivity Report reveals increased access to fast broadband in Aussie households is allowing people to operate the latest smart home gadgets, connect with loved ones and enhance festive traditions like never before.
· Stockings full of connectivity:
One in five Australians (20 per cent) are expected to buy a gadget or internet connected device for a family member or loved one this year. Experts predict gaming console PlayStation 4 Pro, DJI Drones and Samsung Gear VR Headsets to be among the top tech gifts in 2016.
Key findings from the research include:
· Giving the gift of presence: Spending time with family and friends tops the list of the most important part of the festive season with the majority of Australians (84 per cent) ranking it their top priority over the holiday period. One third of Aussies (33 per cent) indicated they would use video calling or video chat applications to connect with loved ones who can’t attend festive celebrations with more than half (54 per cent) planning to send holiday messages, video and images on social media.
· Internet helping to reduce holiday stress:
Almost half of Australians (45 per cent) will look to the internet to find ways to help them reduce stress over the holiday period. Millennials are forging the way for a connected holiday season and are three times more likely to use the internet to help them plan the perfect festive gathering than their grandparents (59 per cent vs Baby Boomers 19 per cent).
· Perfecting the festive feast online:
Traditional Aussie prawns, ham and pavlova won’t cut it this year, with almost half of those surveyed planning (44 per cent) to use the internet to stream video tutorials to help them prepare new recipes and holiday meals. Australians are also planning to skip the queue at shopping centres by buying their holiday groceries online (31 per cent).
Digital Technology Futurist, Chris Riddell said:
“Increasing access to fast broadband via the nbn™ network and new technologies is redefining how we plan, entertain and gift during the festive season.
“In the past, being connected during the holiday season meant physically having to travel to be together. Technology has now broken down the old limitations of borders and travel time, and allowing us to connect wherever we are and whatever we are doing.
“We are now able to connect with friends and family from the comfort of our own home, allowing us to avoid missing out on precious memories.
“Time-poor Aussies are also turning to tech to help them discover new ways of preparing for the festive season and avoid the mad shopping rush by buying their holiday groceries online and streaming video tutorials of new recipes.”
There are more than 3.4 million homes and businesses around the country which can already connect to the nbn™ network with the rollout scheduled to be complete by 2020.”
