Online uptake continues to increase

22 February 2007

The rate of broadband penetration within the UK continues to grow as users spend more time online than ever before, according to a new survey.

A poll by comparison company USwitch.com has found that the average British broadband user spends almost one whole day a week online, with ten million web users now utilising such high speed internet connections.

However, separate research by thinkbroadband.com found that issues with telephone line exchanges mean that many Britons are not able to access the maximum speeds that have been promised to them.

A study by Ofcom, meanwhile, suggested that the actual amount of time spent online by broadband users in the UK was, at 12 hours, half of the figure quoted by USwitch.

Nonetheless the price comparison firm believes that continued developments within the market will lead to more and more web users turning to broadband connections.

"The uptake of broadband in the past 18 months has been nothing short of explosive and this will continue especially with the constant innovation in the market, said broadband product manager Chris Williams, the BBC has reported.

Last week new regulations introduced by Ofcom made it easier than ever before for users to switch broadband providers.

Category: Miscellaneous