Broadband News

Internet use is up but fraud fears double

Tuesday, 29 July 2008

Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

More than half of people think that the internet has improved their quality of life according to new research.

The latest 21st Century Life Index report from BT (www.BT.com) showed that the number of internet users spending at least five hours a week online has more than doubled over the past 10 years, from 25 per cent in 1998 to 58 per cent today.

And when asked which technologies they could not live without, 19 per cent said the internet - coming in third after mobile phones and fixed line phones, with 45 per cent and 34 per cent respectively.

However, despite massive improvements in speed and reliability over the last decade, improving speed is still the top way that people would want to improve the internet, with 32 per cent citing this as their first choice in BT’s latest research, compared to 38 per cent in 1998 - not much of a change.

However, there has been a sharp increase in concerns over fraud, with 27 per cent of people saying that their one improvement would be to make the internet safe from fraud, compared to just three per cent 10 years ago.

To reduce the cost of the internet was the third most popular improvement, with 13 per cent, down only one per cent from 1998, despite internet access at its cheapest.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “Although the internet has improved dramatically over the past 10 years, with far faster download speeds, more reliable connections and massively cheaper headline rates, consumer demands have also increased.

“Today people want to be able to download their favourite shows using internet TV services such as the BBC iPlayer, upload their latest photos and videos to their Facebook page and log on to the office from home, all for less than £14.99 a month.

“They also want to be able to check all of their bank accounts quickly and online, and it’s all of these new applications - such as social networking and online banking, where people often reveal personal information - that while of great use, also add to fears about online fraud,” he said.

Related article - Internet security.

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