The Internet has become an absolutely indispensable part of our daily lives. Verizon (News - Alert) recently conducted the Verizon FiOS Innovation Index: Borderless Lifestyle Survey, which revealed just how indispensable American consumers consider the Internet.

The survey was conducted by Harris Interactive (News - Alert) between September 7, 2012 and September 11, 2012. In total, 2,292 adults age 18 and older were surveyed.

Of those American consumers surveyed, 52 percent said that they considered the Internet the most important utility in their home. Although logic might dictate that electricity or water would rank as the most important, this is simply not the case for consumers who have come to rely on the Internet.

The same survey sought to determine the demographics and habits of “borderless” consumers, those who have access to the Internet via a mobile device whenever they leave their home. The survey revealed a number of key demographics: most are in the 18 to 34 age group, own their own home and are college educated. Almost half of those who are considered borderless consumers earn $75,000 annually and over half of the borderless consumers are women.

There were also a number of key trends that were illuminated by the survey. One-hundred percent are motivated to take advantage of upgrades, 90 percent say that they are eager for a future in which all of their connectable devices can work together seamlessly, 82 percent of those borderless consumers surveyed are interested in cloud-based storage and 60 percent of borderless consumers considered the Internet their most important utility (compared to the 52 percent overall and the 46 percent of consumers who are not borderless).

This survey illuminates just how much a part of our lives the Internet has become, as well as providing marketers with some important statistical information to better gear products and advertising toward the target demographics.