Digital divide is narrowing in the UK

Technology use is growing in UK households

The geographic and age-related digital divide in the UK is disappearing, according to new figures from communications watchdog Ofcom.

The gap between the highest and lowest broadband-using countries has narrowed to just three percentage points from 12 points last year. Adoption of high-speed internet communications is highest in England at 45 per cent, with Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland all at 42 per cent. Last year Wales and Northern Ireland trailed with 24 and 25 per cent respectively, to England’s 36 per cent, with 31 per cent takeup in Scotland.

And although internet and broadband use among people aged over 45 remains less than that of younger people, Ofcom says that growth in mobile phone use is being driven by the older generation.

‘The geographic gap between the digital haves and have-nots in the UK has been gradually narrowing,’ said Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards.

‘But we need to do more to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from the economic and social benefits modern communications offer.’

The research also shows that UK citizens spend more money on mobile phone services than on fixed-line and broadband communications combined. The average household spend on mobile phones is £42.18, compared to £31.18 for fixed-line and broadband.

Other findings from the research include:

* Wales is the most WiFi-enabled country in the UK, with 193 hotspots per million people, which is higher than Germany, the US and Japan as well as the other home nations.

* Scotland is the biggest user of voice over IP (VoIP). Nineteen per cent of Scottish web users use VoIP, compared to 18 per cent in England, 16 per cent in Wales and 15 per cent in Northern Ireland.

* The gap between rural and urban broadband use is also narrowing – 41 per cent of adults in rural areas have home broadband, compared to 45 per cent in towns.