Digital TV and Mobile Access Set for Strong Growth 18/08/00 There are now over 17.5 million British adults - two in five of the population - using the Internet, according to a newly released NOP survey. The Internet User Profile Survey found that 38% of adults had used the Internet in the last 12 months, while 45% said that they expected to use it in the next 12 months. Although Web access is currently through the ubiquitous PC, the stage is set for significant change in the next 12 months. As many as a quarter of current Web users expect to access via a digital TV within the next 12 months, closely followed by the 23% who expect to be accessing through a mobile phone; 14% say that they will be using a PDA. Meanwhile, despite their mixed reception so far, WAP phones are now in 2% of Internet homes and 2 million Internet users claim interest in acquiring one. According to Richard Jameson, Internet research director at NOP, "New access devices are going to have a significant effect on the Internet market, with digital TV in particular likely to prove especially important. Digital TV looks set to penetrate 50% of Internet households by this time next year and, with television's universal familiarity, we can expect significant uptake of the interactive services packages on offer." NOP screened a nationally representative sample of 25,000 British adults, aged 15+, in April and May 2000 and conducted 1,603 follow-up telephone interviews with Web users between 1 and 8 July 2000.