As a Brit, I know how big a part technology plays in the lives of the average UK citizen. Be it the latest mobile phone, games console, big-screen TV, or fast broadband-enabled PC, technology dominates a huge part of this little island’s life.

Last October saw the UK named as the biggest tech spender in Europe, with estimates that the nation as a whole would spend £11 billion during 2008. And now a new Ofcom report confirms how Great Britain is a nation of technophiles, although old habits surprisingly die hard. Also, while the UK is spending much more time using communication services now than it did five years ago, the amount of money spent for the privilege of doing so has gone down.

The Ofcom report, summarised on BBC News, shows that the average Brit spent seven hours and nine minutes a day either watching TV, on the phone, or using the Internet. Mobile phone usage has doubled over that period, while time spent using a PC or laptop has quadrupled.

TV remains dominant, accounting for three hours and 38 minutes of the average person’s day. The digital television switch-over is in full force, with 87% of British homes estimated to have access to a digital signal. 17% of households with broadband Internet watched television on the Web, mainly because of the success of the BBC iPlayer.

While mobile phone usage is still only at around 10 minutes a day, texting seems to be the dominant force. As a whole, the UK sent 58.8 billion texts during 2007 which averages out to about 67 messages each a month. On the other hand, the majority of calls are still being made on landlines, with around 60% of the 247 billion minutes of calls made at home.

While all these increases have taken place, the cost of such services has lowered, with the average UK household spending £93.63 a month on communications during 2007. This is £1.53 lower than was spent in 2006. Falling broadband prices are the main reason for this.

Overall, this report paints a picture of a country which is embracing new technology and new forms of media, while still retaining a need and use for the more traditional forms of communication. And we can’t resist a bargain either.

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Entry was posted on Saturday, August 16th, 2008 at 2:53 pm under Cell phones, Internet, Opinion, Technology.

Read more entries by Dave Parrack.
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