Connected Hong Kong an ideal place for the ‘smart home’ thanks to strong tech infrastructure

In an ever-evolving technology-connected world, smart home and intelligent living is no longer a fanciful idea for the future. It’s here, and in Hong Kong, it is within most people's reach. The reason why, explains Paul Berriman, HKT Limited’s Group Chief Technology Officer, is the high level of technological infrastructure available in Hong Kong  homes, such as broadband connectivity and mobile phone penetration.

With the of widespread availability of home networking solutions, Berriman says consumers are provided with a wide range of options that can be integrated to enjoy smart and stylish living "With the home gateways, Wi-Fi, set-up boxes and broadband connectivity, we are able to provide the technology architecture and devices that help customers connect and control appliances in, around and outside of the home," he also said that smart living takes customers a step closer to “frictionless” living, a term used to describe ways that everyday activities can be made simpler, quicker, fun and more efficient.  A prime example is through a customised remote control, a smartphone or their “eye” home tablet, users can control multiple home settings such as lighting, curtains, air-conditioning, home entertainment and home surveillance systems.

The key to enjoying a premier living experience making home life more convenient and enjoyable can be achieved through connecting a home using innovative home networking technology. For instance, with just one push of a button on a Smartphone, air-conditioning can be preset to pre-cool the rooms before arriving home. Different lighting effects can also be adjusted for different situations from the finger tips. For the security minded, the home can be remotely monitored and controlled from anyplace and at anytime.

Technology makes the difference

Because people are already connected to so many other aspects in their daily life, it is understandable they also seek to control home appliances and access their entertainment and mix of information services anytime and anywhere via a smartphone or tablet. Berriman also points out that HKT's extensive optical-fiber network allows customers to enjoy high-speed connectivity all the way up to the super-fast Fiber Direct 1000M service. "Our optical-fiber network means that even people living on boats and yachts can enjoy now TV and Wi-Fi by simply plugging in to a detachable cable," says Berriman.  Optical-fiber connectivity is provided to 85 percent of all residential buildings, and where it is practical and available, 79 percent of homes can be arranged within a couple of days.

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