Categories
Close
Menu
Menu
Close
Search
Search

Featured Articles

UK adults spent more time online last year than other Europeans
News

UK adults spent more time online last year than other Europeans

Mark

Smartphone usage almost four times greater than computer

Share:

Print

Rate article:

No rating
Rate this article:
No rating

Ofcom's Online Nation 2021 report shows that UK adults spent more time online (via computers, smartphones or tablets) in 2020 than people in Germany, France or Spain.

It was an unprecedented year, when the coronavirus pandemic saw an increase in people relying on online services for communication, entertainment, culture, shopping, work and study. However, the average time spent online per user per day only increased by 9 minutes year-on-year.

The annual report from the independent regulator and competition authority for UK communications notes that adults in the UK spent 3 hours and 37 minutes online each day in 2020. That’s over an hour longer than people in Germany or France and 30 minutes more than Spain – but an hour less than adults in the USA.

Figures from September 2020 show that internet usage via smartphone is almost four times greater than online access on a computer: UK internet users spent an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes a day online via their phones but just 37 minutes on a computer.

Overall, the UK’s online shopping bill increased by 48% from 2019 to nearly £113 billion last year. (The previous four years had seen an average annual increase of 13%.) During lockdown in March 2020, 35% of all retail spending was taking place online – up from 20% in 2019. Spending on and in mobile apps during 2020 was up to almost £2.45 billion, with Tinder, Disney+, YouTube and Netflix generating the most income.

A sizeable minority of households still have no internet access via fixed-line or mobile devices: in March 2021, 6% of homes – around one and a half million – had no way to get online.

Full details of the report can be viewed online at ofcom.org.uk

Comments

Collapse Expand Comments (0)
You don't have permission to post comments.

Opinion Articles

ExclusiveEnterprise smartphones are a Trojan Horse

Ralf-Gordon Jahns of research2guidance writes:

The ever increasing demand for access to company data on the go has compelled companies to address the complexity of application deployment, device management, security management and user support. These factors will lead mobile device policy setting to become one of the most important decisions for IT departments.

ExclusiveCan net neutrality ever be a bad thing?

Mark Bridge writes:

If I’m paying for internet access - whether the arrangement is with a broadband service provider for my home or a mobile network operator on my smartphone - I want to be able to use that access however I want. That’s pretty much what net neutrality is all about.

But the debate isn’t necessarily as straightforward as it sounds. To learn more, I spoke to Doug Suriano, Chief Technology Officer at mobile broadband solutions company Tekelec.

ExclusiveHollywood plugs in to tech start-ups

Elizabeth Lee of voanews.com writes:

Smart phones and tablet computers have become so popular that they are now a part of everyday life for many people around the world. These devices have also prompted an explosion of mobile applications. Hollywood is plugging in to this potentially profitable world of new technology.

Review of Nexus 7 audio recording

ExclusiveReview of Nexus 7 audio recording

Mark Bridge writes:

By now, everyone who's anyone has offered an online 'unboxing' of their Asus Google Nexus 7. And if they haven't, there's probably a review on the way.

I'm very happy with mine. But there was one particular usage scenario I was curious about. How would it function as an audio recorder?

RSS
First3435363739414243Last

Recent Podcasts

ExclusivePodcast from Mobile World Congress 2015

Mark Bridge learns about the mobile technology trends at Mobile World Congress 2015 by chatting to James Rosewell of 51Degrees, Dr Kevin Curran from the IEEE and Chris Millington of Doro.

They talk about wearable devices, wireless charging, mobile operating systems and much more... including some of their favourite products from the exhibition.

ExclusiveLooking back at February: from security scares to multiple MVNOs

We're taking a look back at the biggest mobile industry news stories from February 2015, including allegations that the UK's security service tried to breach SIM card security by hacking into one of the world's biggest SIM producers.

We also talk about the planned BT and EE merger, the creation of two new UK virtual networks, some acquisitions in the mobile payment arena and a new Ubuntu smartphone.

ExclusiveA month of mobile: O2 counts on 3, Microsoft counts to 10 and Apple counts its profits

We're back with a month of mobile industry news, including takeover talks and takeover rumours. O2 and Three are said to be discussing a merger... but is there any truth in the suggestions that BlackBerry could be up for grabs?

We also discuss Apple's record-breaking quarterly figures, the highlights of CES and the launch of Microsoft Windows 10, as well as saying farewell to the current version of Google Glass.

RSS
12345678910Last

Follow thefonecast.com

Archive Calendar

«June 2026»
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
25262728293031
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
293012345

Archive