Strong Demand for Wi-Fi Home Network in China

Digital home, the networking of digital appliances to create a fully digital home environment, has been brought about by the increasing prevalence of broadband, digital TV, and digitized entertainment. This exploratory study examines Chinese consumer attitudes toward the digital home and its related applications and products.

In-Stat's research shows that wireless LAN is going to dominate the home-network market. Most consumers who do not have home networks at present said they were planning to install wireless home networks.

Of the features that digital home provides, multimedia sharing is currently the most popular. Users want to be able to share multimedia entertainment within their households. This is particularly true in China, where there are abundant sources of online content.

Devices such as media storage, playback equipment, and media PCs are still new on the market, and consumers are not very familiar with them. However, overall reaction is positive: 10%-15% of surveyed consumers said they would buy them. Most do not rule out the idea, but will decide based on the price. Our research shows that consumers generally feel comfortable paying around US$200-$300 for these devices.

Executive Summary

Introduction

Survey Demographics

Current Users

Home Networks: Wired vs. Wireless

Usage Patterns

Media Storage and Media PCs

Potential Users

Home Network Preferences

Usage Patterns

Media Storage and Media PCs

Methodology

Related In-Stat Reports

List of Figures

Figure 1. Respondent Gender

Figure 2. Respondent Education

Figure 3. Respondent Monthly Income (US$)

Figure 4. Which Do You Use for Your Home Network?

Figure 5. Why Did You NOT Choose Wireless LAN?

Figure 6. Home Network and Size of Residence

Figure 7. Why Did You Choose Wireless LAN?

Figure 8. Which Device Do You Use for Your Home Network?

Figure 9. What Is Most Important to You in Home Network Equipment?

Figure 10. How Much Have You Spent on Your Home Network (US$)?

Figure 11. Which Applications Do You Use on Your Home Network?

Figure 12. Frequency of Use of Home Network Applications

Figure 13. Which of the Following Do You Use?

Figure 14. Will You Purchase Additional Media Storage/Playback Devices?

Figure 15. When Will You Purchase Them?

Figure 16. How Much Are You Willing to Spend on Media Storage Devices (US$)?

Figure 17. Will You Buy Another Media PC to Share Content with Your Family?

Figure 18. When Will You Purchase It?

Figure 19. How Much Would You Spend on a Media PC (US$)?

Figure 20. When Will You Set Up Your Home Network?

Figure 21. Which Will You Use for Your Home Network?

Figure 22. Which Network Device Will You Use?

Figure 23. Who Will Set Up Your Home Network?

Figure 24. What Is Most Important to You in Buying Home Network Equipment?

Figure 25. Where Will You Purchase Your Network Devices?

Figure 26. Interest Level in Digital Home Applications

Figure 27. Will You Buy Additional Media Storage/Playback Devices?

Figure 28. When Will You Purchase Them?

Figure 29. Will You Buy Another PC to Share Content With Your Family?

Figure 30. When Will You Purchase It?

Figure 31. How Much Will You Spend on It (US$)?

Figure 32. Do You Have a Home Network Connection Among Your PCs?