Oftel Report Shows Rapid Rate Of Internet Growth Continues
The latest research from Oftel shows home access to the internet and take-up of digital television continuing to grow at an unprecedented rate. One million people went online in the three months to the end of August, with seven million homes (28%) now connected, and digital television subscribers grew by 10% across the period to reach 21% of all homes.
David Edmonds, director general of telecommunications, said: “The UK continues to become an online community, using the internet to communicate, study and buy. The UK has some of the most competitive internet access prices in Europe and Oftel will continue to ensure that consumers get the best deal possible.”
He was particularly encouraged by the increase in unmetered access following Oftel’s ruling earlier this year that BT begin providing flat rate internet access to its competitors (see AltaVista Blames BT For Stalling On Free Internet Service). Stalling by the telecoms giant caused problems for companies offering unmetered access to the internet earlier this year but Oftel’s study finds the UK below the OECD average for all types of user and the price of 40 hours peak time down by 36% since March.
