Internet Users Reach All Time High

The UK has experienced exceptional broadband uptake since the technology first became available to consumers, with over half the UK population having access to a high-speed internet connection, according to a new report published by internet research specialists Nielsen//NetRatings.

The new data reveals that 32.3 million people have access to the internet, with the number of pages viewed per month increasing by 17% on January last year, from around 855 to 1,000 pages.

Search engines, portals and communities continue to dominate the most visited sites, attracting around 87% of users. Telecoms and internet services follow, drawing in an average of 80% of web users, while sites for computer and electrical consumer goods managed to draw 72% of the online audience.

The impressive penetration of broadband is good news for advertisers, with recent research from Starcom UK Group attributing the 52% increase in online advertising expenditure seen in 2004, to the rapid uptake of broadband (see UK Online Advertising Enjoys Dramatic Growth).

The take up of broadband technology shows no sign of slowing, as telecoms giant BT recently unveiled proposals to further stimulate the industry, claiming that lower wholesale prices, faster services and transparent, highly regulated access to its local network will provide faster and more exciting services to consumers and businesses (see BT Proposes Transparent Broadband To Avoid Break-Up).

Nielsen//NetRatings: 01865 384 067 www.nielsen-netratings.com

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