Digital divide narrowing - Ofcom

 

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By Simon Aughton

Posted on 24 May 2007 at 14:59

The digital divide between the various parts of the UK has diminished significantly over the past 12 months, according to new Ofcom research.

In its Communications Market Report for the Nations and Regions of the UK, the telecoms regulator looked at take-up and usage of Internet, telecommunications and broadcasting services across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the nine English regions.

Where last year's report showed significant geographical differences, particularly in take-up levels of broadband and digital television, this year's shows that the gaps are closing.

In 2005 there was a 12 percentage point gap between the number of adults with broadband at home in Northern Ireland (lowest at 24%), Wales (25%), Scotland (31%) and England (highest at 36%). By 2006 this gap had reduced to three points. Take-up in England stood at 45% and in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales had reached 42%.

A similar trend exists in digital television. In 2005 the gap between was even larger at 19 percentage points; by 2006 this had reduced to 13 points.

The proportion of UK households able to receive competitive broadband and phone services through local loop unbundling (LLU) increased from 40% at the end of 2005 to 67% at the end of the 2006, though that still leaves a third of the population without the choice of lower prices and, in some cases, faster speeds that LLU provides.

Ofcom also looked at take-up and availability of communications services in rural and urban areas in the UK. Over 40% of adults in rural areas have broadband internet at home compared to 45% of adults in urban areas. The narrowness of that gap was almost inconceivable just a few years ago when rural areas were starved of broadband access. When it comes to mobile phone usage and DAB radio ownership there is even greater parity.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards welcomed the findings, but warned against complacency.

'The geographic gap between the digital haves and have-nots in the UK has been gradually narrowing, but we need to do more to ensure that everyone is able to benefit from the economic and social benefits modern communications offer,' he said.