The Internet of Things (IoT) integrates everyday “things” with the internet. Simply put, the term IoT refers to the collective network of connected devices and systems and the technology that facilitates communication between them and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves. This means everyday devices like toothbrushes, vacuums, cars, and machines, can use sensors to collect data and respond intelligently to users.
In 2024, internet users were asked about their use of smart technology or IoT (Internet of Things) in their private lives. It covers the use of internet-connected devices and systems in their homes (domotics), the use of wearable devices, e-health solutions, or cars with built-in wireless connection. The last time that this set of questions was asked in the annual ICT Household survey was in 2022.
These IoT solutions can be connected with other devices or systems via the internet (via mobile internet connections, Wi-Fi) or via Bluetooth.
Smartphones play a key role in the IoT because you can control many IoT devices through an app on a smartphone. You can use your smartphone to communicate with your smart thermostat, for example, to set the perfect temperature for you by the time you get home from work.
It should be noted that the use of smartphones, tablets, laptops, or desktops is not the objective of the measurement performed in this module when those devices serve to access the internet only and not to control an IoT device.
At an overall level, over half (62%) of internet users who had used the internet in the three months prior to interview, had used domotics (home internet-connected devices and/or systems), including internet-connected systems for the management of energy and security in their home, internet-connected home appliances such as robot vacuums, smart ovens, lawnmowers etc.
Over eight in ten (83%) internet users use internet-connected home entertainment solutions such as internet-connected TVs, game consoles, etc., an increase of four percentage points on 2022, while over six in ten (61%) use other internet-connected devices such as wearables, devices for health/medical care (such as to monitor blood pressure, blood sugar levels), cars with built-in Wi-Fi, etc., up five percentage points on the same period in 2022.
Just one in eleven (9%) had not used any smart solutions at all either inside or outside the home in the previous three months.
Analysis of the survey data by the affluence of the area in which the respondent resides, shows that householders in the very affluent areas were more likely to have home internet-connected devices and systems – two thirds (66%) of internet users in such areas compared with just 60% of householders (who had used the internet in the previous three months) in very disadvantaged areas.
Over nine in ten (93%) of households with children had used some form of smart home entertainment solution, such as internet-connected TVs, game consoles, home audio system, smart speakers, etc in the previous three months, while over seven in ten (71%) had used smart solutions for home energy management or security systems. See Map 2.1, Table 2.1 and PxStat Tables for comparisons with 2022.
Note that respondents could select more than one option.
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