UK Internet Access Breaks 40% Barrier

Some 10.7 million households were able to access the internet from home between January and March this year, up from 9.8 million in the previous quarter. This represents the single biggest increase period on period for almost two years and would seem to refute previous speculation that growth was set to stall (see UK Home Net Access Hits 39%, But Growth Plateaus).

Regional variations ONS estimates that 55% of adults in Great Britain have accessed the internet at some time, equivalent to 25.2 million adults. Approximately 46% of respondents claimed to have used the internet in the month prior to the survey. However, results show that levels of access vary across the country and depend heavily on income.

In the last financial year, only 31% of homes in Wales and Northern Ireland had access to the internet and household penetration in the North East of England stood at 32%, 8% down on the national average. By contrast, 48% of households in London and the South East were online during 2001-2002. Equally revealing is the fact that 80% of the highest-earning households had access to the web compared with just 11% of those in the lowest income bracket.

Usage analysis The vast majority of users continue to access the web via computer although April 2002 figures show that 8% of adults have used the internet on a mobile phone and 5% claimed to have utilised digital television for this purpose.

Approximately three-quarters of web users go online to find information about goods or services or to use email. Other common activities include general browsing (61%) and searching for information related to education (38%).

Nearly four in ten of all internet users have ordered tickets, goods or services on the net. The most popular purchases include books, music, flights and holiday accommodation. A quarter of those who have never purchased anything over the internet claimed that this was because they had security concerns or preferred to shop in person.

Of the 45% of adults who have never accessed the Internet, over half (56%) cited a general lack of interest and 72% were of the opinion that they were unlikely to use the medium in the next year. They may have to be convinced otherwise if the government is to achieve its aim of getting the majority of the population online by 2005.

UK households with home internet access
	HH with access (million)	% of HH with access from computers	% of HH with any form of access
2000
Q2	6.9	26	27
Q3	7.8	30	32
Q4	8.6	33	34
2001
Q1	9.2	34	36
Q2	9.5	35	38
Q3	9.7	36	39
Q4	9.8	37	39
2002
Q1	10.7	40	42
Source: ONS, July 2002