Digital divide between Wales and rest of UK narrows

Wales is becoming increasingly tech-savvy, according to Ofcom

The uptake of broadband and digital services in Wales is catching up with the rest of the UK, according to industry regulator Ofcom.

Ofcom’s Communications Market Report on the TV, radio, broadband and telecoms industries in Wales shows that over the past year the gap between broadband uptake in Wales and the UK as a whole has shrunk from 10 per cent to seven per cent.

Wales now has broadband uptake of 64 per cent compared with 71 per cent for the UK as a whole.

But Wales has the highest proportion of mobile-only households in the UK at 19 per cent compared with the UK average of 14 per cent.

The report finds that the uptake of broadband in rural Wales (69 per cent) continues to be higher than urban Wales (62 per cent).

Consumers in rural Wales are more likely to own a mobile phone than those in urban areas. Mobile uptake in rural areas has increased from 89 per cent to 93 per cent in 12 months to surpass the level of mobile phone ownership across the whole of the UK (89 per cent).

Rhodri Williams, director, Wales at Ofcom, said: "It’s good to see that the digital divide between Wales and the UK as a whole is narrowing. Communications services are rapidly becoming a necessity rather than a luxury for Welsh consumers and businesses in all parts of Wales. Even though our report indicates that there are still challenges to overcome, the direction of travel is positive."

Professor Tony Davies, chairman of Ofcom’s advisory committee for Wales, said: "It is particularly heartening to see that the people of Wales are becoming more knowledgeable and astute in the way in which they buy and use communications services.

"However, significant challenges still remain, particularly on 3G mobile coverage, broadband speeds and the reach of local DAB and we will continue to press for significant progress on these issues."

The report follows recent criticism of the government for making it difficult for companies to extend high-speed broadband services beyond metropolitan areas, by refusing to review the taxation strategy of fibre networks.