A quarter of UK households are now connected to the internet, finds research into consumer activity by telephone watchdog Oftel.

The figures confirm that the internet has moved from being a niche into a mainstay product.

Oftel will publish its findings on small business activity in autumn.

Key findings are:

  • 25% of homes (six million) are connected to the internet. At least 22% of the population (14 million people) are using the internet at home
  • 34% of internet users now use more than one internet service provider.
  • while overall awareness of internet line ADSL was low, 40% of consumers expressed an interest in ADSL services, notably faster internet access
  • 5% of UK households now use mobiles instead of landline phones
  • 18% of consumers feel that companies are providing enough information for them to find the best deal.


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