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Spending on communications falls | Spending on communications falls |
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Britons are spending more time using communications services but paying less for them, says an Ofcom report. | Britons are spending more time using communications services but paying less for them, says an Ofcom report. |
Every day in 2007, the average consumer spent 7 hours and 9 minutes watching TV, on the phone, using the internet or using other services, it says. | Every day in 2007, the average consumer spent 7 hours and 9 minutes watching TV, on the phone, using the internet or using other services, it says. |
Since 2002, mobile use has doubled and PC and laptop use has grown fourfold, says the watchdog's annual review. | Since 2002, mobile use has doubled and PC and laptop use has grown fourfold, says the watchdog's annual review. |
But the average UK household spend on communications in 2007 was £93.63 a month - a fall of £1.53 on 2006. | But the average UK household spend on communications in 2007 was £93.63 a month - a fall of £1.53 on 2006. |
TV remains the most popular pastime, with the average person watching for 3 hours and 38 minutes a day last year. | TV remains the most popular pastime, with the average person watching for 3 hours and 38 minutes a day last year. |
In 2007 the average person in the UK spent 24 minutes per day on their computer and 10 minutes using their mobile. | In 2007 the average person in the UK spent 24 minutes per day on their computer and 10 minutes using their mobile. |
Ofcom's annual communications market review notes that monthly spend on communications has fallen for three years in a row. | Ofcom's annual communications market review notes that monthly spend on communications has fallen for three years in a row. |
Ofcom says consumers are getting increasingly canny about the way they buy services, switching providers or paying one fee for a bundle of services. | Ofcom says consumers are getting increasingly canny about the way they buy services, switching providers or paying one fee for a bundle of services. |
COMMUNICATIONS FACTS Communications industry revenue topped £51.2bn in 2007Average households spend £93.63 per month on communications services87.2% have digital television80% of new TV sales are high-definition sets40% buy communications services in a bundled package44% of adults use text messaging every day36% of adults use the net every day Source: Ofcom market review Communication nation: Facts and figures | COMMUNICATIONS FACTS Communications industry revenue topped £51.2bn in 2007Average households spend £93.63 per month on communications services87.2% have digital television80% of new TV sales are high-definition sets40% buy communications services in a bundled package44% of adults use text messaging every day36% of adults use the net every day Source: Ofcom market review Communication nation: Facts and figures |
Lower prices for broadband are one factor, with the average household spending £9.45 for an internet connection in 2007 compared with £9.87 in 2006. | Lower prices for broadband are one factor, with the average household spending £9.45 for an internet connection in 2007 compared with £9.87 in 2006. |
Fierce competition between broadband providers is causing some concern that it may be difficult for the industry to raise the investment needed for faster networks. | |
But the report shows that broadband take-up is continuing to grow both at home and on the move. | But the report shows that broadband take-up is continuing to grow both at home and on the move. |
By the end of 2007, Ofcom found, 58% of homes had broadband, compared with 52% a year earlier. | By the end of 2007, Ofcom found, 58% of homes had broadband, compared with 52% a year earlier. |
Dongle surge | Dongle surge |
The real surge, though, came in the use of mobile broadband after a big marketing push by mobile phone companies selling so-called "dongles". | The real surge, though, came in the use of mobile broadband after a big marketing push by mobile phone companies selling so-called "dongles". |
Between February and June this year, monthly sales of these devices, which give internet access to laptop users, rose from 69,000 to 133,000 a month. | Between February and June this year, monthly sales of these devices, which give internet access to laptop users, rose from 69,000 to 133,000 a month. |
According to Ofcom figures, two million people say they have used mobile broadband via a dongle or similar device and three-quarters of them say they use it at home as well as on the move - evidence that the mobile operators are beginning to compete with fixed-line businesses for broadband customers.TV retains its popularity despite booming net, mobile and computer use | According to Ofcom figures, two million people say they have used mobile broadband via a dongle or similar device and three-quarters of them say they use it at home as well as on the move - evidence that the mobile operators are beginning to compete with fixed-line businesses for broadband customers.TV retains its popularity despite booming net, mobile and computer use |
British consumers are also spending more time on the phone than ever before, with a 21% increase in minutes spent on mobile calls. | British consumers are also spending more time on the phone than ever before, with a 21% increase in minutes spent on mobile calls. |
Even fixed-line calls are holding up with Ofcom seeing just a 2% fall in minutes spent calling. | Even fixed-line calls are holding up with Ofcom seeing just a 2% fall in minutes spent calling. |
The Ofcom report paints a picture of a country where consumers are making more and more use of modern media services - from YouTube to personal video recorders - while still retaining an interest in the traditional services. | The Ofcom report paints a picture of a country where consumers are making more and more use of modern media services - from YouTube to personal video recorders - while still retaining an interest in the traditional services. |
Digital television is now in use in 87% of British homes, with many having hundreds of channels to choose from. Despite the variety, 57% of viewing in these multi-channel homes is of the five main channels. | Digital television is now in use in 87% of British homes, with many having hundreds of channels to choose from. Despite the variety, 57% of viewing in these multi-channel homes is of the five main channels. |
Ofcom also noted that while the amount of TV viewing is up on 2006, the longer term trend shows a slight decline in viewing. | Ofcom also noted that while the amount of TV viewing is up on 2006, the longer term trend shows a slight decline in viewing. |