1 in 5 adults without internet access likely to sign up in next six months

One in five adults who do not have the internet at home are likely to sign up in the next six months, according to new Ofcom research.

The research looks at why 30% of UK adults do not have the internet at home and the barriers that prevent them from taking it up in the future.

Those intending to get the internet in the next six months are more likely to be younger, use the internet already outside of the home, are working and have children, the research found.

Their main reason for accessing the internet is for information or to find out things (36%) followed by communicating with friends and family (26%), keeping up with technology (25%) and because friends and family recommended it (25%).

The research comes ahead of the publication of the government’s Digital Britain report, which will look at plans for universal broadband in the UK.

Forty two per cent of adults stated that their main reason for not having the internet at home was due to lack of interest or need. The self-excluded tend to be older and retired and 61% have never used a computer, said Ofcom.

Thirty per cent of adults stated that their main reason for not accessing the internet at home was that it was too expensive or that they did not have the knowledge or skills to use it. Half of respondents in this group (51%) gave as their main reason expense or costs while just under three in ten (27%) said the cost of a computer or not owning a computer was their main reason for not having an internet connection.

The quantitative and qualitative research also looked at ideas to encourage internet take-up, including half-price computers and discounted monthly tariffs. These ideas were more likely to appeal to employed, under 44 year-olds with children. Free training was most important to those aged 65-74 (11%) followed by half priced computer (9%) – although the majority (58%) chose not interested or don’t know.