Oftel releases Latest Online Usage Figures, showing Little Growth

Internet usage has changed little from November 2001, revealing a slowdown in take up of online services.

Oftel's latest survey, for the first quarter of 2002, shows:
* 50% of UK adults use the internet in a variety of locations.
* 46% of UK homes connected to the internet.
* 43% of internet homes currently using unmetered packages.
* 3% of internet homes using broadband – according to recent subscriber figures.
* 9 hours is the average weekly household time spent online.

These figures suggest that there has been little change in the residential internet market over recent months.

The overall profile of internet households also remains broadly similar to recent quarters – the only real change since August 2000 being the steady rise in the proportion of C2DE households and lower income groups with internet access.

But the figures suggest the first increase in time spent online since August ’01. The average weekly household time spent on line is currently 9 hours, increased from the average 8 hours reported since August 2001. Oftel is continuing to monitor this aspect of usage to determine whether this is a real increase. Heavier users tend to be younger to middle age groups, larger households and higher income groups.

Satisfaction with overall internet services remains stable. 9 out of 10 households (89%) are satisfied with their overall internet service. Those using subscription and calls packages are amongst those least satisfied with their service. 'Perhaps this lower level of satisfaction is linked to the higher awareness of unmetered packages and faster access methods,' suggests Oftel's report. 'In other words consumers may be less satisfied as they become aware of possibly cheaper and faster alternatives.'

Over half of adults with home internet access are aware of DSL or cable modem services. Awareness increases with usage – 68% of heavy users were aware compared to 49% amongst light internet users. Awareness was highest amongst men, younger to middle age groups and higher income households. The most popular source of information on DSL/cable modem services was advice from friends and relatives.

Oftel’s quarterly residential consumer survey was carried out in February 2002, among UK adults aged 15 or over.

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