A new report from Strategy Analytics shows that almost 12 billion internet-connected devices will be in use around the world by the end of this year; the equivalent of 1.7 devices for every person.
However, growth in machine-to-machine connections for the ‘Internet of Things’ is expected to result in this ratio increasing dramatically in the next six years. By 2020, it’s forecast there’ll be 4.3 devices for every person - a total of 33 billion devices worldwide.
Even today, ‘traditional’ connected devices - personal computers, smartphones and tablets - account for less than a third of all connected devices in use.
David Mercer, Principal Analyst at Strategy Analytics and joint author of the report, said “Back in 2007 PCs accounted for two thirds of internet devices – now it’s only 10%. The impact of the internet on daily lives has increased rapidly in recent years. Huge growth potential still lies ahead, in terms of both the number of devices relying on internet connectivity and its geographic reach.”