How Smart Home Tech and Fiber Connectivity Empower Aging in Place
According to the Fiber Broadband Association, smart home technology has evolved from a convenience to an essential lifeline for older adults. During a recent Fiber for Breakfast session, Elizabeth Parks, President and CMO of Parks Associates, unveiled groundbreaking data that highlights the increasing adoption of connected tools, powered largely by robust broadband infrastructure, to support aging in place and caregiver needs. The data underscores the pivotal role fiber networks play in enabling technologies such as fall detection, emergency alerts, and telehealth solutions.
Smart Homes Go Mainstream: Key Trends from the Data
Parks Associates, leveraging over a decade of quarterly surveys across 8,000 U.S. internet households, has observed a significant rise in connected living. Currently, nearly 50% of U.S. households own at least one smart home device, while the average home hosts 17 connected devices ranging from voice assistants to security cameras. This ecosystem is particularly vital for the 30 million U.S. households involved in caregiving today—or anticipating such responsibilities within the next five years.
Among these homes, assistive care technology has seen sharp growth, with 16 million households actively using devices that monitor movement, detect falls, or issue emergency alerts. This segment’s growing adoption is accompanied by increased consumer willingness to pay for related services, even among seniors 75 years and older. The assistive care tech market is already valued in the billions, presenting unique opportunities for broadband providers to evolve into service enablers rather than just network facilitators.
Implications for the Telecom and Fiber Broadband Industries
The growing reliance on assistive technologies underscores a critical reality: their effectiveness hinges on fast, reliable, and always-on broadband networks. As Elizabeth Parks pointed out, dropped signals or network failure don’t just interrupt entertainment—they compromise safety and trust. Fiber, renowned for its reliability and scalability, is increasingly becoming the backbone for these next-generation applications.
The industry context aligns with broader fiber deployment trends. According to the Fiber Broadband Association’s 2026 Annual Fiber Deployment Cost Report, U.S. fiber expansion continues at a rapid pace, albeit with challenges such as rising labor and materials costs. Providers are doubling down on infrastructure investments, knowing that high-speed connectivity isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s a necessity to meet growing demands from smart home ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: AI and Data as Game-Changers
As technology advances, artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to become a linchpin for connected living. Parks highlighted the emergence of AI-driven tools, including predictive health monitoring and smarter routers, that enhance both device efficiency and network reliability. For broadband providers, these advances translate to increased data traffic—a trend that reinforces the importance of fiber as a scalable platform.
The convergence of AI and assistive care technology also introduces new revenue streams for telecom companies. By bundling fiber services with premium health monitoring and connected safety packages, providers can tap into a high-growth market while addressing a critical societal need: aging in place. This shift may raise competitive pressure on traditional cable providers and even mobile carriers as fiber-based solutions become the household standard.
Conclusion: A Transformative Moment for Smart Homes
As the Parks Associates data reveals, connected technologies are no longer a futuristic concept—they’re reshaping daily life and unlocking new dimensions of safety and independence for older adults. Fiber networks underpin this transformation, demonstrating their indispensable role in modern households.
What do you think about broadband’s evolving role in connected living? Will fiber providers dominate the assistive care tech market, or will competitors disrupt their position? Share your thoughts below!
