Three-quarters of UK households now have access to some form of internet connection, according to new research published by Ofcom.

Some 59 per cent of consumers rely on a fixed broadband line as their only means of accessing the web, the regulator discovered in its latest Consumer Experience report, while eight per cent only have a mobile broadband service.

Nine per cent of respondents get online using both mobile and fixed-line broadband, with the socio-economic group AB - comprising people in managerial and professional positions - driving uptake of 3G dongles as an additional means of connection.

Investigating the devices that Brits use to access the internet, Ofcom found 59 per cent of homes own a laptop, while just 44 per cent have a desktop PC.

Usage of the internet has continued to "rise steadily", the telecoms industry watchdog declared, as 80 per cent of adults revealed they use the web either at home or elsewhere. Older consumers were said to be largely responsible for this increase.

The report also showed the popularity of bundling remains generally unchanged, with around half of all adults choosing to purchase a package of more than one communication or entertainment service from a single provider.

Among those who choose to stick with standalone products, younger consumers are most likely to pick fixed-line broadband on its own, while those in rural areas prefer to opt for pay TV.

While bundling services often represents better value for money, Ofcom found it can also make switching from one provider to another a more difficult process.

As a result, the organisation pledged to continue with its review to ensure potential barriers preventing customers moving from one company to another are removed.

Claudio Pollack, head of Ofcom's consumer group, said: "We put the consumer at the heart of everything we do and we are committed to ensuring that competition in the communications sector delivers benefits for consumers."

Add a comment

Comment

Your name

Your e-mail address

Comments (0)