Over the last ten years, global household data usage has skyrocketed due to the increasing use of internet-connected devices, streaming services and online entertainment. As homes become more digital, we have more connected devices, we’re using more data and we’re spending more time online.
Here’s what’s happened in the last decade or so of us using the internet, and what that means for household internet connections moving forward.
Growth in connected devices
In 2012, the average household may have had a handful of internet-connected devices, such as a computer and a smartphone. Today, the number of connected devices has exploded. According to IoT Analytics, there were 16.6 billion connected IoT devices globally by the end of 2023 (a growth of 15% over 2022).
This growth is fuelled by smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles and other Internet of Things (IoT) devices like smart speakers and home security systems. In fact, it’s estimated that the average US household now has 21 connected devices, down from 25 in 2021 when many loaded up on technology during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With more devices, data consumption per household has risen dramatically. Each device contributes to bandwidth usage, particularly as they increasingly rely on high-speed connections to function optimally. The growing number of smart homes, equipped with everything from connected light bulbs to refrigerators, is further upping the amount of data being used daily.
As households use more internet, they’re looking for faster, more reliable internet connections with unlimited data.
Time spent online
The average time spent online has also surged over the past decade. As of 2024, the average user spends six hours and 40 minutes online every day, according to Datareportal.
Much of this time is dedicated to streaming content, social media, online shopping and other activities that require high data consumption. This is a significant increase on earlier years, where online usage was lower and more confined to activities like checking emails or browsing the web on home computers.
The vast majority of the world’s internet users – 95.9% – use a mobile phone to go online at least some of the time, and mobile phones now account for 56.9% of our online time, as well as 60%.
This shift towards mobile internet use has resulted in higher data consumption, as well as more time spent online.
The streaming revolution
The rise of streaming services has been one of the biggest contributors to household data consumption. Services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and music platforms like Spotify have become integral to daily life since Netflix was created in 1997, and in 2024 Netflix had around 277.65 million paid subscribers worldwide. Americans, on average, maintain subscriptions to approximately 2.9 streaming services each month.
Streaming, especially in high-definition formats such as 4K, consumes significant amounts of data. A single hour of 4K streaming can use around 7 Gb of data and in the U.S. alone, households streamed over 183 billion minutes of content in just one week in late 2021.
Gaming has also caused huge increases in data usage. Online gaming, which involves real-time communication and high-quality graphics, is now one of the fastest-growing data consumers and drivers of demand for fast internet.
The future of household data usage
Looking forward, the trend of increasing household data usage shows no signs of slowing. With the rollout of faster internet technologies like 5G, coupled with the rise of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and further advancements in IoT devices, data consumption is set to continue its upward trajectory.
By 2030, it’s expected that data-heavy applications like real-time VR gaming and 8K streaming will push data usage to new heights.
We need to continue upgrading our internet infrastructure, both in terms of bandwidth and speed, to keep up with the digital demands of modern living. Increasingly, a reliable, high-speed fibre internet connection is an essential rather than a luxury. Many internet providers are offering $0 fibre upgrades to help consumers access this faster technology.
The past decade has seen a remarkable increase in household data usage driven by connected devices, increased online activity and the growing dominance of streaming services. As digital technologies continue to evolve, so too will the data requirements of the average household.
Household internet FAQs
How much internet do I need at home?
Most households need about 700GB of home internet data every month to browse, stream, and game without a hitch. For your cell phone plan, on the other hand, you need at least 10GB of monthly data. If you exceed your data cap, you could be charged for overages.
How fast should my internet be?
A good download speed is at least 100Mbps, and a good upload speed is at least 10 Mbps. With 100Mbps, you can stream movies, attend Zoom meetings, and play games online all on several devices at the same time. Some people can get away with fewer Mbps, and others need more.
What country has the fastest internet in the world?
Qatar has the fastest average internet speed in the world, at 334.63 Mbps, followed by the UAE and Kuwait. According to Speedtest.net, the global average download speed for fixed broadband internet is 93.93 Mbps.
Key points:
- The number of internet-connected devices has increased significantly in the past decade, to more than 16.6 billion smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and gaming consoles.
- The average user spends six hours and 40 minutes online daily, primarily for streaming, social media and online shopping.
- The rise of streaming services and gaming has significantly increased household data consumption.
- Fast, reliable home internet connections are now a necessity.
Marshall Thurlow is Director and Founder of Orion Marketing Pty Ltd. He is a digital marketer with expertise in SEO, website design, content marketing and project management.
