One in five offline UK citizens want to get Internet this year

One in five adults who are currently not online say they are likely to sign up for Internet access in the next six months, according research for communications regulator Ofcom. Some 70 per cent of the UK adult population is now online, but Ofcom wanted to know the reasons why the remaining 30 per cent are not, and to identify the barriers preventing them accessing the Internet using broadband. The survey conducted by research firm Ipsos MORI found those intending to get online in the next six months are more likely to be younger, use the Internet already outside of the home, are working and have children. The main reason for wanting to go online is for information (36 per cent), communicating with friends and family (26 per cent), keeping up with technology (25 per cent), and because friends and family recommended it (25 per cent). Ofcom's research also examined two categories excluded from getting online - the self-excluded (13 per cent), and the financially-excluded (nine per cent). Of those self-excluded, 42 per cent said their main reason for not going online was due to lack of interest or need. They tended to be older and retired, with 61 per cent never having used a computer. Of people financially excluded, 30 per cent of adults said their main reason to forego online access, was that it was too expensive or that they were not knowledgeable or skilled enough to use it. Half of those polled in this group (51 per cent) gave the main reason as expense, while 27 per cent said the cost of the computer was the main financial impediment.