Industry executives and experts share their predictions for 2022. Read them in this 14th annual VMblog.com series exclusive.
Broadband support bringing opportunity for our connected devices
By Adam Hotchkiss, VP of Customer Solutions
at Plume
2021 was
the year that we realized the need for critical infrastructure. In November,
the president signed a historic $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into
law, which will put $65 billion into
expanding broadband across the country. Broadband speeds require a robust WiFi
system to support them, and the smart home industry will need to evolve
accordingly. Here are some of my
predictions on what's ahead in 2022.
The infrastructure bill will make WiFi investment even more
important.
The
infrastructure bill will increase internet speeds for millions of homes,
enabling media, remote work and other high bandwidth applications for the home.
However, delivery of high speeds to the home is wasted without a sufficient
WiFi investment that can deliver the new bandwidth to the devices. Therefore,
WiFi is critical for the success in realizing the gains for the infrastructure
spending and more will recognize that in 2022.
More devices = more speed demands.
As more devices spread throughout the inside and outside the
home, this brings higher demands for each device. This trend will accelerate
into 2022. Whether it is a new fitness bike with online training classes or a
4K video camera outside the front door, the number of applications and devices
demanding higher speeds are increasing and will continue to grow next year.
Cybersecurity for devices and
employees will be at the forefront.
The cybersecurity of these devices will be in the spotlight in 2022. As more personal
and work information is available on smart home devices, the need for
cloud-based and AI-based security in the home is a tablestake offering.
Likewise, as corporations catch up to the reality that most employees are
working at home, the need to create a safe and contained work environment virtually
within the home for a secure, always on and highly reliable connection for work
devices and applications, will be a must for every worker away from the office.
Conclusion
Next year, I predict that more and more consumers will realize
the benefits of supporting their devices with strong, intuitive WiFi systems.
What's even more critical is that consumers understand the need to protect
their devices with vigorous security protocols and tools. In 2022, increased
broadband support combined with device security innovations will bring great
opportunities for connected devices in our home.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Hotchkiss is the Vice President of Customer Solutions at Plume, a SaaS platform that provides the delivery of
technological services for connected homes. Prior to Plume, Adam served as the
President of VLM Technologies, overseeing its business and product consulting
services.