This document summarizes internet usage statistics in the UK. It finds that while three quarters of adults have broadband access, average speeds are only 9.0Mbit/s and 8% have superfast connections. Nearly four fifths of internet users order goods online, the highest in Europe. Over a quarter watch TV online weekly, also the highest internationally. However, 15% of adults have never used the internet, as well as one third of disabled adults and 44% of those over 65. Basic online skills are needed to communicate, find information, share safely, and conduct business transactions online.

1. Clive Richardson
clive@go-on.co.uk
@Go_ON_UK
@cliverchrdsn

2. Who we are

3. Infrastructure
• Over three quarters of adults have access to some form of
broadband
• 18.8 million residential broadband connections
• 8% of residential broadband connections are superfast
• Average broadband speed is 9.0Mbit/s

4. Services
• Nearly four fifths of UK internet users had ordered goods and
services online - highest in Europe
• Over a quarter of internet users watch TV online every week -
highest proportion internationally
• 113m visits to retail websites on Boxing Day

5. Usage - individuals
• 15% of adult population - 7.4 million people - never been
online
• Only 44% of those aged over 65 have ever been online
• A third of all disabled adults have never used the internet
• 16 million people lack basic online skills

6. User map High Literacy Users
(Hi Tech Influencers, Eager Enthusiasts and
Aged 18-54, ABC1. Slight male skew. Very high user -
highly competent and generally tech-savvy. Access the
internet on numerous devices and have multiple devices
Traditional Followers*) in the home. Undertaken over 20 online tasks asked
about. Use on average 3 devices to access the internet
29%/14.8m
Medium Literacy Users
79% Users = (Trend-setting Wannabees, Functional Users Spread of SEG but largely ABC1. Accomplish between
40.6m and Willing Worriers*)
16-18 online tasks asked about. Use on average 2
devices to access the internet
32%/16.5m
Narrow Users 55+, spread of SEG. Slight female skew. Light users
and low confidence. Access the internet on 1 device
(Concerned Resistors*) and do an average of 8.5 tasks asked about. Rely on
18%/9.3m others and courses for help.
UK Adult (15+)
Population
= 51.4m
Source: ONS
Potential Users
Estimated 11-15%/ 5.5-7m**
Consists of Lapsed/Proxy/Interested
3 sub-groups:
21% Non-users =
-Active Considerers – need support 65+ (51%). C2DE (71%). Female skew. 50%
10.8m have no formal education.
Half of everyone who is offline lives in
-Willing But Constrained –
Social housing. High proportion of registered
Economic/Infrastructure/Social Context disabled. Less likely to live in a Metropolitan
area.
-Willing But Constrained - Disability
Active Resistors
Estimated 6-10%/ 3-5.3m**
*Original segmentation source: BBC ‘Understanding Digital Capabilities’, July 2012.
**Based on combination of sources including BBC, Communications Consumer Panel, 2012 and UK online centres
UK Adult population refers to the 15+ population (as used in BBC research) – ONS population estimate for 15+ = 51.4m

7. Usage - SMEs
• Half of consumers expect to buy online
• One third of SMEs don’t have a website
• A fifth don’t think the internet is important to their business

8. SME map 1. Shooting Stars
Most advanced group. Do higher level business
tasks online and also have a website with
28%/1.34m advanced functionality
Private Sector
Businesses
= 4.8m 2. Emerging Advocates Do higher level business tasks online or have a
Source: BPE 17%/814K website with advanced functionality, but not both
Private Sector SME
Businesses 3. Static Surfers Do moderate or high level business tasks online,
17%/814K but have no website
= 4.79m
4. Enthusiastic Chasers Do moderate or low level business tasks online
17%/814K and have a basic website
Those either not online at all, or who use it for
5. Deliberate Disconnected basic tasks only
20%/958K
Sources: Business Population Estimates (BIS) 2012
*Lloyds/Go ON UK “Maximising Online Engagement with SMEs and Charities”, Sept 2012

9. Basic online skills
• Communicate
• Find things
• Share information
• Keep safe
• For businesses - transact

10. Clive Richardson
clive@go-on.co.uk
@Go_ON_UK
@cliverchrdsn