TMCnet News
Consumers rate the internet and mobile phones as essentials of modern life [Herald, The (Scotland)](Herald, The (Scotland) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) UK consumers now consider the internet and mobile phones to be essential, a study has confirmed. People said the ability to contact emergency services, keep in touch with family and friends, and access information, education and entertainment were among essential services. Ofcom's research found 61 per cent of consumers rated voice services - mobile or landline - as essential, 59 per cent considered mobile voice or text services as essential, and 57 per cent said they could not do without personal internet access. It found age was a key factor in the services considered essential, with 61 per cent of those aged 75 and over unable to do without a landline, compared with just 12 per cent of 16 to 24-year- olds. Accessing the internet via a smartphone was considered essential to 53 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds but to no one aged 75 and above. Some 86 per cent of those responsible for paying for essential communications said they had never had difficulty meeting the cost. The high take-up of essential communication services showed that, in most cases, cost was not a barrier to use, the regulator found. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |