Internet Subscriptions Show 16.1% Year On Year Growth

The number of subscriptions to the internet increased by 16.1% between April 2001 and April 2002, according to the latest Index of Internet Connectivity report from the Office Of National Statistics (ONS).

The report shows that the number of people connected to internet service providers (ISP) rose by 0.8% month on month during April, with subscriptions for dial-up and permanent connections showing different patterns of growth.

Standard dial-up connections increased by 12% year on year during April, with month on month growth significantly less at 0.1%. Permanent connections, which include broadband and ADSL services, showed an impressive 428% year on year increase, with month on month growth standing at 16.3%.

According to the ONS, dial-up connections continue to dominate the number of overall subscriptions, but the popularity of permanent connections is growing rapidly.

There number of high-speed internet services available to consumers is increasing and earlier in the month AOL launched a new broadband internet service priced at £34.99 per month (see AOL Enters UK Broadband Market). According to Oftel, this increasing choice is driving the growth of the sector and the communications regulator now estimates that broadband internet access is growing at a rate of 20,000 new connections a week (see Broadband Britain Is Underway).

Office of National Statistics: 020 7533 5888 www.statistics.gov.uk

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