SMARTPHONES ARE the UK’s most popular device for connecting online for the first time, according to industry monitor Ofcom.
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The communications regulator said 33% of internet use in 2014 was carried out on a smartphone, compared with 30% using laptops. The survey also displayed a shift from last year’s survey, which showed that 22% of users preferred their smartphone.
Smartwatches had yet to make much impact in the UK in 2014, Ofcom’s annual Communications Market Report found. Less than five per cent of UK adults own one – but Ofcom expects that percentage to rise when 2015’s figures are ready. Most people don’t bother backing up their digital pictures, which means they could be gone forever when the phone inevitably gets lost, broken, or discarded for the latest version.
Tablet ownership has rocketed in recent years with more than half of households now owning one (54 per cent).
Online TV revenues grew by 38% in 2014 to £793m, with income from online TV subscriptions increasing by 53% to £317m.
The change was attributed to the expansion of high-speed 4G data networks by the report, which allows users to watch video on the go.
Apparently 31% of adults “admit to taking a selfie” (gasp!), with 10% doing so in the last week – though interestingly young people are much better at backing up, with 36% of 16-34 year olds ensuring their photos are backed up, versus just 29% of people over 35.
Smartphones have overtaken laptops as the most popular device for getting online.
Smartphones are now in the pockets of two thirds (66 percent) of British adults, up from 39 percent in 2012.
Instead viewers have been tuning into catch-up services, watching personally recorded content and availing use of subscription on-demand facilities.
Ofcom said that on average, Northern Irish folks watched 15 minutes less broadcast TV every day last year compared to 2013, with an average viewing time of three hours and 47 minutes daily.
Overall, people told Ofcom their time online is a good thing, with 64 per cent of adults going online saying it helps them keep up with current issues, while 60 per cent say it is a way to stay in touch with friends and family.
“Today’s report shows just how important reliable, fast internet access is to millions of consumers and businesses”, said Sharon White, Ofcom CEO.
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The number of 4G subscribers stands at approximately 23.6 million, and those who have a 4G device are using them to do more online.
