Twice as many Londoners as Welsh people access the internet on a regular basis, revealing a “gaping gulf” in the uptake of interactive technologies, according to a report commissioned by online bank Egg.
The research, conducted by
MORI, shows that the overall number of people using interactive technologies such as the internet, digital television and WAP phones has risen to around 57% of the UK adult population. However, there are “massive” regional disparities in terms of internet uptake, with around 56% of people living in the South-East regularly going online, compared to only 23% in Wales.
According to the report, overall internet usage continues to rise, with around 1 million people logging on for the first time between October and February 2001. Around 45% of the British public are currently online and research shows that a further 1 in 10 plan to get connected within the next two years.
Instant messaging was also found to be undergoing a surge in popularity, with 14% of the population using chat room technology. Among experienced internet users, uptake stands at 51% and MORI predicts that the medium will continue to grow.
Patrick Muir, marketing director of Egg, said: “Technology is increasingly helping to enrich our lives. The internet, e-mail, and text messaging are all parts of today’s vocabulary and as consumer confidence grows, the world wide web will becomes an integral part of everyday life for all.”
