ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cambium Networks™, a leading global provider of wireless networking solutions, today released the results of its first Internet of Things (IoT) Disaster Response Study to demonstrate the need for cnReach, a narrowband radio for highly reliable and secure transmissions across long distances that are essential for Industrial Internet of Things.
Cambium’s IoT Disaster Response Study discovered that nearly all Americans (91 percent) believe internet access could be critical to first responders during disaster response to major emergencies. The study also determined that, although Americans are divided when it comes to the presidential candidate who would be best at creating policies that make the most of the Internet of Things (IoT) in national infrastructure, Hillary Clinton is the winner.
Terrorist Attacks, Earthquakes and…a Zombie Apocalypse
Americans overwhelmingly say internet access and access to data is critical to first responders during major emergencies, according to Cambium’s IoT Disaster Response Survey. Three out of four Americans (75 percent) believe that internet access during a terrorist attack could be critical to first responders, while nearly two out of three say it could be critical during tornados or earthquakes (68 percent, each). Hurricanes (67 percent), floods (66 percent), virus outbreaks (58 percent), drought (30 percent) and famine (28 percent) are other major emergencies that could require access to data, according to Americans.
Just over one out of four Americans (26 percent) say an alien invasion could be a major emergency demanding internet access for first responders, while one out of four (25 percent) believe internet access during a zombie apocalypse could be critical for emergency response teams. Americans in the Western region of the country were more likely to say an alien invasion (34 percent) and a zombie apocalypse (31 percent) could be major emergencies requiring internet access versus those living in the Northeast (23 percent and 19 percent, respectively). Women ages 18-34 years old were more likely to say internet access could be needed during an alien invasion (38 percent) and zombie apocalypse (41 percent) compared to older women ages 45+ (18% and 13%, respectively).
Industrial Internet of Things is Key to Disaster Relief
Cambium’s research revealed that 91 percent of Americans believe internet access during a national disaster is an important disaster response priority.
Top reasons why Americans believe internet access during a national disaster should be a disaster response priority include:
- It can notify people where to go for food/safety – 75 percent
- It can let people know if they need to evacuate – 74 percent
- Families need to communicate – 74 percent
- Medical professionals need to share information – 69 percent
- Police need to access important information – 65 percent
- Reporters/Journalists can share up to date information with the public – 44 percent
- Politicians have access to the most up to date information so they can determine where disaster funds go – 25 percent
Seventy-nine percent of Americans indicated that industrial use of IoT – which enables everyday objects to have network connectivity and send and receive data so they can communicate with people and other devices – is important to them.
Top reasons why industrial uses of IoT are important to Americans include:
- Disaster relief operations that use satellite-enabled communication kits to speed the flow of information among disaster response teams and the people who need help – 37 percent
- Smart electrical grid that enables more efficient use of electricity – 10 percent
- Military drone operations to conduct surveillance and intelligence-gathering to strike a target – 10 percent
- Smarter border control using sensors that give real-time data to border guards – 7 percent
“Data is the new survival essential –up there with food, water and shelter when it comes to dealing with disaster,” said Atul Bhatnagar, CEO and President of Cambium Networks. “Our Disaster Response Study demonstrates just how important data is in responding intelligently with crisis – from natural disasters to security threats. We commissioned the research based on our experience as the leading global provider of trusted wireless solutions that connect the unconnected.”
Hillary Clinton and IoT
According to Cambium’s survey, Hillary Clinton is the presidential candidate who more people thought would be best at creating policies that make the most use of IoT in our country's infrastructure, including improving highway systems, helping the sustainability of resources, more efficient public transportation and reduced traffic congestion. Twenty-eight percent of Americans said that Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was the best presidential candidate for IoT, compared to 24 percent who picked Republication nominee Donald Trump and 5 percent who chose Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson. Only two percent of Americans said that Green Party nominee Jill Stein would be the best presidential candidate for IoT.
Americans living in the Western region of the U.S. were the more likely to say Hillary Clinton is the presidential candidate who would be best at creating policies to make the most of IoT than Americans in the Midwest (34 percent vs. 23 percent). Americans living in the South are more likely to say Donald Trump would be the best at this compared to those in the West (26 percent vs. 19 percent).
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Cambium Networks from August 24-26, 2016 among 2,047 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
About Cambium Networks
Cambium Networks is a leading global provider of trusted wireless solutions that connect the unconnected – People, Places and Things. Through its extensive portfolio of reliable, scalable and secure wireless narrowband and broadband platforms, Cambium Networks makes it possible for all service providers; industrial, enterprise, government, and service providers to build affordable, reliable, high-performance connectivity. The company currently has over five million radios deployed in thousands of demanding networks in more than 150 countries. Headquartered outside Chicago and with R&D centers in the U.S., U.K. and India, Cambium Networks sells through a range of trusted global distributors. For more information, visit: www.cambiumnetworks.com and www.connectingtheunconnected.org.
