UK sees small jump in broadband households

Some 69 per cent of UK homes have broadband access

New EU figures released today show broadband access in the UK has risen by seven per cent in the past year to 69 per cent.

The data, released by Eurostat, the EU's statistical information service, ranked the UK eighth in the region in terms of percentage of broadband connections, down one place from 2008.

The UK came ninth in Europe for households with internet access, behind countries including the Netherlands, Germany, Luxembourg and Sweden.

Richard Thurston, an analyst from Analysys Mason, said he believes the figures are to be expected as the government continues to push the broadband agenda through its Digital Britain agenda.

"The government is aware it needs to get as many people as possible online and that it needs to take action to ensure those currently without broadband access, around 11 per cent, are able to receive it in the coming years," he said.

Thurston said Britain's position in relation to the rest of the EU is not surprising either as the UK has always been slightly behind the curve for internet take-up, and many other governments are pushing the broadband agenda in a vigorous manner.

Looking to the future, Thurston said that research carried out by Analysys Mason predicts that by 2014 there will be 23.465 million connections in the UK, a rise of some 4.5 million from the 18.625 million connections that currently exist.

European households with access to the internet rose from 60 per cent to 65 per cent, while broadband access rose six per cent from 49 to 56 per cent across the region.

Figures in the report also revealed that a large proportion of individuals still do not shop online due to fears of payment security (35 per cent) or worries over data security (28 per cent).

However, UK consumers show far more willingness than most as 66 per cent aged 16-74 said they had bought goods online in comparison with the European average of 37 per cent.