Accessing the Web from Work

Of the 92 million people who have an opportunity to access the Internet in the UK, France and Germany, less than a third have Internet access at work according to new research from Jupiter MMXI.

Jupiter MMXI's Online Market Landscape reports on the Internet behaviour of over 5,000 people every three months - covering Europe's three biggest markets: the UK, France and Germany.

The current report shows that the home computer is still by far the most popular means of accessing the web. In the UK 61% of Internet users have access from home, in Germany 57% and in France 51%. Other devices are increasing in popularity, such as PDAs and mobile phones, but they trail the PC.

A combination of "other locations" such as someone else's homes, libraries, Internet cafes and schools prove to be as popular as work for surfing the Web. 5.6 million Germans, 4.4 million French and 4.1 million Britons are surfing the Web from a friend's house, showing that ownership of a PC is still a barrier to all Europeans having Internet access.

Not only do more people have access from home or alternative locations, more than 50% of people at work in the UK, France and Germany also have to share Internet connections with colleagues. The majority of those (40% in Germany, 45% in France and 44% in the UK) have to share their Internet connection with three or more people.

According to Mari Kim Coleman, Senior Vice President of Measurement, "Despite the increased use of the Internet as a business tool, the Internet is used more widely for entertainment and shopping from home. For the first time we have have a true picture of the access points of Britons, Germans and the French online. This information is invaluable for businesses across Europe to truly understand the potential of the Web."

For more information about the Online Market landscape, visit www.jupitermmxi.com and select the UK homepage.

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.