Juniper’s first Global Bandwidth Index Report reveals the latest findings on how consumers are using mobile internet connectivity across developed and emerging markets. The study, carried out by Wakefield Research, surveyed 5,500 consumers in developed markets, including Australia, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US, and emerging markets, including Brazil, China, India and South Africa.
CBR highlights six need-to-know facts from the report’s findings.
1. Personal development is soaring in emerging markets
According to the report, 46% of consumers in developing countries are using connected devices to enhance personal and professional development, compared to 27% in developed markets where the focus is centred on making day-to-day tasks more efficient. It found that 51% of consumers in developed nations use connected devices for banking, 41% for shopping and 42% to search for local information.
2. Consumers report changes in key areas of their lives
Another 97% of respondents in emerging markets reported that connectivity had made fundamental life changes in their lives, from banking to accessing local information, enjoying entertainment and receiving health care. On the other hand, 22% of consumers in developed markets said that connectivity has not had a significant impact on their lives
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3. Earning power is on the rise
Juniper said 47% of respondents in emerging markets claimed that connectivity has improved their spending power, compared with17% of consumers in developed markets.
4. Connectivity is reshaping social life
In emerging markets, 60% of consumers said that connectivity has transformed their social lives, compared with 38% in the developed countries.
5. Education transformation
Juniper said 39% of people living in developed nations say that connectivity has significantly changed how they access text books, complete homework and use teaching tools, compared with 7% in Japan.
More than half of those surveyed in emerging countries would like to have more access to educational resources compared to less than 25% in developed countries.
6. Poor bandwidth
However, the majority of consumers in emerging markets have missed personal and professional opportunities as a result of connectivity problems. The report said 60% of consumers in emerging markets cited connection speed as the most common problem, compared with 27 percent in developed countries. Another 30% of those in emerging markets stated that simply finding a connection remains an issue, compared to 13% in developed nations.
