Number of broadband users doubles since 2006

02 September 2010 11:59:03

The number of households with internet connections is growing.

The number of adults who use the internet every day has risen dramatically in recent years, according to the latest research on household internet use. The 2010 Internet Access survey suggests that more than 30 million people use their broadband connections each day, yet about 9.2 million adults have still never used the internet. Here, CompareandSave.com takes a closer look at the ongoing growth of internet access.

Internet use on the rise

A growing number of people appear to be taking the time to compare broadband offers, according to the latest research from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Its 2010 Internet Access survey indicates that 30.1 million adults use the internet every day, up from about 17 million in 2006. Nearly three-quarters of all UK households have internet access and 31% of internet users now connect via a mobile phone, compared to just 23% last year.

Range of uses

Internet users are embracing the full potential of their broadband connections, according to the survey. For instance, 31 million people are estimated to have bought or ordered goods or services online over the past 12 months, while 17.4 million have used the internet to watch television or listen to the radio. Meanwhile, 75% of 16 to 24-year-old internet users revealed that they use the internet for social networking.

Another popular activity is internet banking, which was performed by 54% of internet users (42% of all adults) over the last year. The survey suggests that members of the 25 to 44-year-old age group are most likely to do their banking online. However, the most popular online activity is still the use of email, with 90% of all users claiming to use their broadband connection for this purpose.

Daily use now commonplace

In terms of frequency of use, 60% of respondents to the ONS survey claimed to use the internet every day; 13% on a weekly basis; and 8% just once a month or less. Findings suggest that 18% of British adults (9.2 million) have never used the internet, down from 35% (16.7 million) in 2006. When asked about the reasons for their lack of internet connection, the majority of non-users said that they simply did not need one. One in five admitted that they did not possess the necessary skills, while 18% said that they could not afford the equipment needed to get online.

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