Four in ten (39%) broadband users are confused by the term IPTV (internet protocol television), according to new a survey carried out by uSwitch.com.
The survey also showed that silver surfers have a high level of knowledge. The over 50s have a greater awareness of IPTV than the 18-to-29 age group.
One third of respondents (34%) are bemused by VoIP (voice over internet protocol – the ability to make phone calls via an internet connection), with some people thinking it is a device that digitally alters the sound of your voice. However, a recent study by Continental Research said that 1.8 million internet users have used VoIP in the past 12 months (see VoIP Forecast To Shake-Up Telecoms Industry).
75% of Londoners know what WiFi is, compared to 34% of people in the Midlands and Wales, while nearly one in three internet users (30%) are unsure what a podcast is and, according to uSwitch.com’s survey, some people think it is a UK fishing competition.
The most confusion was generated by the terms ADSL, MAC code (the code required to switch broadband providers) and VoIP.
Recent research by Motorola also suggests that people in the UK lack awareness of broadband applications such as VoIP and IPTV (see UK Lags Behind Rest Of Europe In Broadband Awareness And Adoption.).
Chris Williams, broadband product manager at uSwitch.com comments: “Our research shows that many Internet users feel baffled by the use of acronyms and jargon. Even though we live in the 21st Century it seems that people are not as familiar with new technologies as one might think.
“In many cases, the areas which seem to cause the most confusion involve broadband services that could really change the way we live our lives. IPTV will allow viewers to choose what they want to watch, at the time they want to watch it without being restricted by the broadcast schedule, while VOIP technology will allow people to use just one handset for all their mobile and land line calls.
“Broadband technology has led to a whole new language of computer acronyms, slowly creeping into daily conversations. With people not having a full understanding of this language or a knowledge as to what lies ahead in the future of internet development, it will be the consumer who ultimately loses out. Our message to broadband users is to learn more about the new technologies and understand what these acronyms stand for to avoid being left behind in the future.”
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