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The connected home and its services don’t sometimes hold the headline in regular newspapers for the good things it is doing for many individuals and homes.  Some stories you will read will let you believe that is a fad and will remain relevant but only for geeks who understand it.  However, after reading the Cisco annual internet report you will get a totally different picture on how this technology and its use is growing in popularity for all.  Cisco is one of the biggest network service providers in the world and most of the internet’s traffic goes through their devices at some point to reach its destination.

The use of the internet is growing at an exponential rate, according to Cisco's latest Visual Networking Index.  They are predicting global IP traffic to triple over the next five years at an approximate rate of 22 percent per year.  They are expecting this growth to come from; an increase in internet users, more devices and the type of traffic being consumed.  As a result of this growth, the Internet of Things (IoT) sector can expect global revenue of more than $682 billion over the next ten years.

Eletrobras, a major Brazilian utility has selected Cisco’s FAN (Field Area Network) technology for a BRL $1.2 million project funded by the World Bank. The Energia+ project will cover the states of Acre, Rondonia, Piaui, Amazonas, Alagoas and Roraima.  The aim is to help Eletrobras to improve operational efficiency and control of non-technical losses, which is as high as 22 per cent in some areas.

According to a study done by Cisco, the Internet of Everything (IoE) is big business. The global sector is expected to generate in excess of $600 Billion in global profits for private-sector businesses this year alone. Cisco interviewed IT leaders in 12 countries across 7,500 global business.  They found that the United States, China and Germany are expected to realize the greatest value from the technology.

National Grid is to increase its smart meter roll-out in the Worcester, Massachusetts from 5,000 to 15,000. National Grid said they will start deploying the additional 10000 meter early this year.  To support the project they have assembled some of the biggest names in smart meter and smart grid sector to implement the latest technology solutions. National Grid said the smart grid pilot will evaluate the integration of home automation, dynamic pricing and distribution automation.

The Broadband Forum and the University of New Hampshire-InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL) have issueed their first set of BBF-069 Certificates to Broadcom, Cisco, D-Link, Huawei and Lantiq. The certificate signifies that the device is TR-069 protocol compliant, which means it can be remotely manage. With TR-069 devices service providers have a easier job of managing remote base devices, removing the need to send out service engineers for common faults.

Cisco has developed a new software platform for its Linksys Wi-Fi Routers. Labelled Cisco Connect Cloud, the new platform will make it easier to add devices to your home network and make them more accessible, said Cisco. To support the Connect Cloud, Cisco has also release Cisco Connect Cloud Mobile App, which features SimpleTap, a new interface for the Linksys Wi-Fi Router.  Cisco also released six new developer apps to offer more control and convenience.

Cisco is offering a new range of home network wireless solutions based on the latest 802.11ac technology. The Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router (EA6500) and Universal Media Connector (WUMC710) available this month promises to offer wireless speed of up to three times faster than current 802.11n devices. The router also features Cisco’s latest home network software platform, Cisco Connect Cloud, which offers hassle free network setup and management.

Between the months of December and February electronics manufacturers release their latest and best innovations in whatever devices they make.  This is to capitalise on the Christmas spending and also to be a recipient of the CES Innovations award. The other reason and more so now than ever before more of us what to networked the devices in our home and the new year is a good time to make the investment. So I have made a list some of the best networking devices that have been released so far this year from the likes of Cisco, Netgear, Belkin, D-Link and many others.

In partnership with private developers Gale International, South Korea is nearing the end of an ambitious $35 Billion project. They have set themselves the task of building a city from scratch with all the essential infrastructure homes, School, offices, hospitals and shopping centres and hotels.  Unlike any of the other Korean cities, ‘Songdo’ will be smart, connected and almost self sufficient.