Broadband internet is starting to capture the imagination of the British public and almost 2 million homes will have high-speed web access by this time next year, according to the Summer 2002 Internet Report from Continental Research.
Continental predicts that a total of 700,000 homes will upgrade to a faster internet connection in the next twelve months. Younger households, with web users aged between 15 and 34, have so far showed the most interest in high-speed services.
UK Internet Penetration | |
Households | Number (millions) |
Total | 24.4 |
Connected To Internet | 10.0 |
With Faster Connection Speed | 1.2 |
Connecting Via Regular Phone Line | 8.8 |
Likely To Upgrade To Faster Speed | 0.7 |
Source: Continental Research, August 2002 |
Online activities It is estimated that UK web users spent an average of £305 online in the last twelve months. As a result, Continental calculates that internet spending totalled £5.5 million, of which men accounted for 70%.
As well as online shopping, activities which have proved popular among British surfers include using web-based email, banking, accessing travel information and downloading music.
Activities Carried Out By UK Internet Users In Last Twelve Months | ||
Online Users Doing Activity (%) | Total Number Doing Activity (millions) | |
Used Hotmail Account | 36 | 6.4 |
Checked Bank/Building Society Statement | 32 | 5.7 |
Accessed Travel Route Maps | 27 | 4.8 |
Downloaded Music | 21 | 3.8 |
Contacted Someone Through Friends Reunited | 17 | 3.0 |
Used Chat Rooms | 16 | 2.9 |
Checked Credit Card Statement | 15 | 2.7 |
Visited Public Service Sites | 15 | 2.7 |
Carried Out Online Banking Transaction | 15 | 2.7 |
Listened To Radio Station Online | 13 | 2.3 |
Registered With News Or Sports Site | 12 | 2.1 |
Listened To An Album Or Single | 12 | 2.1 |
Tried To Trace Family History | 8 | 1.4 |
Obtained Info From Utility Company | 4 | 0.7 |
Share Dealings | 3 | 0.5 |
Placed A Bet | 2 | 0.4 |
Source: Continental Research, August 2002 |