Internet Usage Soars With Almost 28 Million Now Online
A further three million people have gone online over the last three months in a move than takes the total number of internet users in the UK to almost 28 million, according to the latest study from Mintel.
The figures reveal one of the largest recent growth spurts for internet penetration in the UK, which jumped from 50% of all adults to 57% in the second quarter of this year, defying the widespread belief that the market had already peaked.
Neil Mason, retail analyst at Mintel, said: “It would appear that much of this sudden growth in internet penetration levels is being driven by a rapid expansion in the numbers of broadband internet users in response to a stepping up of the marketing efforts by the various broadband service providers.”
Mintel forecasts that penetration levels will reach a maximum of three quarters of all adults by 2006, just behind the 80% penetration of the wrist-watch, which is the most common form of technology. It is estimated that 60% will be online in six months time, a figure which will climb to 67% over the next two years.
The study shows that almost 20% of adults now use broadband internet, which equates to half the amount that use dial-up access. The increasing popularity of broadband has been a major factor in the growth of internet uptake so far, with almost all the major service providers offering cut-price packages.
Mason added: “Price continues to be the biggest influence on people’s decisions when it comes to subscribing to broadband services. As the market becomes increasingly competitive and the price bands lower, broadband will become more and more appealing to users.”
The biggest growth in internet penetration was among so-called ‘silver surfers’ aged between 45 and 64. The number of users in this age range has increase by almost a third in the last three years and now matches those in the 15 to 34 age range.
A recent study carried out by web portal 50 Connect revealed that more than a third of mature web users currently access the internet via a high-speed broadband connection. The research found that the number of silver surfers with a high-speed connection has more than doubled since May last year to a staggering 36% (see More Than A Third Of Silver Surfers Now Have Broadband).
Mintel: 020 7606 5932 www.mintel.com
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