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Mobile internet use nearing 50% | Mobile internet use nearing 50% |
(1 day later) | |
Almost half of UK internet users are going online via mobile phone data connections, according to the Office for National Statistics. | Almost half of UK internet users are going online via mobile phone data connections, according to the Office for National Statistics. |
Some 45% of people surveyed said they made use of the net while out and about, compared with 31% in 2010. | |
The most rapid growth was among younger people, where 71% of internet-connected 16 to 24-year-olds used mobiles. | The most rapid growth was among younger people, where 71% of internet-connected 16 to 24-year-olds used mobiles. |
Domestic internet use also rose. According to the ONS, 77% of households now have access to a net connection. | Domestic internet use also rose. According to the ONS, 77% of households now have access to a net connection. |
That figure was up 4% from the previous year, representing the slowest rate of growth since the ONS survey began in 2006. | That figure was up 4% from the previous year, representing the slowest rate of growth since the ONS survey began in 2006. |
Among the 23% of the population who remain offline, half said they "didn't need the internet". | |
Northern Ireland excluded from 2011 survey. | Northern Ireland excluded from 2011 survey. |
Source: Office for National Statistics | Source: Office for National Statistics |
The ONS report is the first since dot-com entrepreneur Martha Lane-Fox was appointed as the government's UK Digital Champion, with a brief to increase internet uptake. | The ONS report is the first since dot-com entrepreneur Martha Lane-Fox was appointed as the government's UK Digital Champion, with a brief to increase internet uptake. |
In a statement, Ms Lane-Fox said: "That so many offline households don't see any reason to get online reinforces the importance of the digital champions network that the Raceonline2012 partners are creating." | In a statement, Ms Lane-Fox said: "That so many offline households don't see any reason to get online reinforces the importance of the digital champions network that the Raceonline2012 partners are creating." |
Mobile revolution | Mobile revolution |
The figure for domestic connections contrasted sharply with the rapid growth in uptake of mobile services. | The figure for domestic connections contrasted sharply with the rapid growth in uptake of mobile services. |
However, the popularity of 3G broadband did not necessarily mean that more people were going online overall. | However, the popularity of 3G broadband did not necessarily mean that more people were going online overall. |
Many of those using mobile phones are likely to already have home broadband connections. | Many of those using mobile phones are likely to already have home broadband connections. |
Older users, who the government is particularly keen to get connected, appeared to have been relatively untouched by the phenomenon. | Older users, who the government is particularly keen to get connected, appeared to have been relatively untouched by the phenomenon. |
While 71% of 16 to 24-year-old who went online said they used mobile broadband, just 8% of internet users aged over 65 made use of the newer technology. | While 71% of 16 to 24-year-old who went online said they used mobile broadband, just 8% of internet users aged over 65 made use of the newer technology. |
The ONS survey also found a dramatic rise in the use of wifi hotspots - a seven-fold increase since 2011 - suggesting that the rise of 3G has done little to slow demand for free and paid-for wireless access. | The ONS survey also found a dramatic rise in the use of wifi hotspots - a seven-fold increase since 2011 - suggesting that the rise of 3G has done little to slow demand for free and paid-for wireless access. |
All findings were based on a monthly survey of 1,800 randomly selected adults from across the UK. | All findings were based on a monthly survey of 1,800 randomly selected adults from across the UK. |
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