Tata Communications : French fear they are missing out when not connected to the net

Global research from Tata Communications shows strong emotional connection to the Internet, despite 67% of survey respondents unable to correctly state where the Internet resides

About 2.5 billion people are connected to the Internet today, that's a third of the world's population. By 2020, the number of connected devices is expected to rise to 26 billion. With so many users checking in online each day, it may come as a surprise to learn that many still do not fully understand how the Internet works. Only half of all global respondents accurately identify where the Internet resides (in network connected data centres), while 82% do not know that the fastest mode of internet delivery to their device is through sub-sea cables. 64% of respondents incorrectly believe that the Internet is infinite and 70% incorrectly state that 'everyone' owns the Internet.

While nearly a third of the world's surveyed internet users spend six hours or more per day actively using the Internet, dependence is much lower for French respondents. Only 21% of the 15-35 year old sample group spend six or more hours online in France, vs. 60% of the Americans surveyed and 37% of the British respondents in this age group. The average daily use in France for respondents is 4.2 hours against a daily global figure of 5.1 hours for other respondents. Only the German respondents spend less time online with 4.1 as the average daily figure of internet interaction.

67% of those surveyed in France do not know that the Internet resides in data centres. This is the highest percentage of respondents from all the nations surveyed with 46% of Germans, 50% of British, 47% of Americans and 40% of Indians being unable to answer correctly.

Despite this, French respondents are quick to acknowledge the benefits delivered by the Internet with 76% of those participating citing the ability for instant global connection as the key benefit delivered today and one-quarter believing that the most inspirational benefit the Internet will give us in the future will be light speed connectivity.

"The Internet has truly changed the way we function. As technologies evolve and adapt, there is a huge potential for the Internet to affect different aspects of life, economy and society. The use of these technologies will continue to expand in unexpected ways, and organisations will need to continuously explore, adapt and embrace new digital realities to thrive in," says Julie Woods-Moss, Chief Marketing Officer and CEO of Tata Communications' Nextgen Business. "A better understanding of the Internet is likely to improve the appreciation of the Internet and its capabilities leading to new and innovative ways to incorporate digital resources into daily activities."

Other highlights from France include:

• The average French citizen surveyed believes they can survive 9.9 hours without internet access, second only to the surveyed Germans who could wait up to 10.7 hours
• 32% of the surveyed French would forgo TV in favour of internet access, with 27% of respondents choosing the online world over alcohol
• When asked whether the Internet and the World Wide Web are the same, 59% of the French respondents incorrectly said yes while 92% don't know that the fastest mode of internet delivery is through sub-sea cables
• 57% incorrectly believe that the Internet has unlimited capacity. Singaporean and Indian respondents are perhaps the savviest about the nation state role in the Internet with 21% of respondents stating that individual countries own the Internet

As more and more global consumers demand greater flexibility with regards to their digital footprint (connected devices, mobility, access to higher bandwidth speed and capacity), Tata Communications recognises the critical role that the Internet plays in facilitating and controlling seamless access between the IT user and service provider (internal or external). Private and business consumers are looking for that 'just works' internet experience that allows them to seamlessly switch their home technology to the work place and vice versa. Tata Communications is creating an open communications infrastructure ecosystem that makes the Internet Fit for Business, ensuring high quality and predictable internet that delivers a robust digital ecosystem that's equipped for the future and that can cope with customers' demands of intelligence, scalability and reliability.

Tata Communications' global connectivity services are built on the world's largest and most advanced global sub-sea cable network, which enables carriers and enterprises to connect almost anywhere in the world. The cable network boasts significant depth in the key emerging markets including Asia, Middle East and Africa. Over 24% of the world's internet routes use Tata Communications' network.

About the survey

Tata Communications conducted an online survey that comprised of 14 closed questions, aimed at capturing behavioural, technical and philosophical responses in relation to peoples associations, understanding and emotional connections to the Internet. A total of 9,417 respondents across six countries: India, Singapore, UK, USA, Germany and France participated in the survey. Out of the total number of respondents surveyed, 50% of them are women and 50% men. 33% of the respondents are from Asia (India and Singapore), 52% from Europe (UK, France and Germany) and 15% from North America with age ranges: 15-25=11%, 25-35=23%, 35-45=22%, 45-55=22%, 55-65=21%. The findings of this survey were then analysed as an aggregate of the responses and further based on age, gender and location to arrive at the insights.

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