Internet access in the UK

Via O2

This week, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has published the latest statistics around internet access in the UK. The report shows how many people in the UK have access to the internet, how they access it and what they use it for.

According to the ONS, 87% of adults used the internet daily in 2019. And 79% have accessed the internet ‘on the go’ through a mobile phone or smartphone. This is a 26% rise from 2013. It’s clear that there is a growing demand for connectivity across the UK.

This is hardly surprising. For both individuals and businesses, connectivity is a door to opportunity.

For individuals, the power of mobile is immense. Connectivity brings people together. It enhances our family lives, social lives and work lives. As a society, we are increasingly embracing technology as a way to engage with each other.

The power of connectivity is equally profound for business. It unlocks operational efficiency and drives more effective internal collaboration. Connectivity is the lifeblood of our local and national economies.

For these reasons, we’re investing more into our network coverage than ever before. Our network covers 99% of the population, but our work is never finished.

We are incredibly excited to switch on our 5G network in October this year. From transport systems, to healthcare, 5G will deliver a level of connectivity that promises to revolutionise the world around us and transform the way we live.

In the meantime, we’ve also been busy improving our existing coverage. For example, we recently invested £1.5m into boosting network coverage across rural areas in Northern Ireland. We also upgraded connections around Britain’s favourite tourist hotspots earlier this summer. This kept holidaymakers better connected and gave a boost to the tourism industry.

As the ONS report shows, connectivity is increasingly vital for individuals and businesses alike. Here at O2, we will continue to do everything in our power to support this growing need.