TelecomTV TelecomTV
  • News
  • Videos
  • Channels
  • Events
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • Open RAN
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • 5G
  • Access Evolution
  • Private Networks
  • Cloud Native
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Sustainability
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Security
  • More Topics
  • Network Partners
  • Industry Insights
  • Directory
  • Newsletters
  • |
  • About
  • Contact
  • |
  • Connect with us
  • 5G
  • 6G Research and Innovation
  • Access Evolution
  • AI, Analytics and Automation
  • Cloud Native
  • Digital Platforms and Services
  • Edge
  • Open Networking
  • Open RAN
  • Private Networks
  • Security
  • Sustainability
  • Connect with TelecomTV
  • About
  • Privacy
  • Help
  • Contact
  • Sign In Register Subscribe
    • Subscribe
    • Sign In
    • Register
  • Search

Digital Platforms & Services

Digital Platforms & Services

UK adults purchased up to 21 million new digital devices during lockdown

Aug 25, 2020

  •  Deloitte’s Digital Consumer Trends research of 4,150 consumers reveals UK digital device usage habits; 
  •   One in five UK consumers bought a new digital device as a result of spending more time at home due to the lockdown;
  •   Televisions, smartphones, laptops and games consoles were the most commonly bought devices during lockdown;
  •    Games players and consoles saw the highest growth in daily usage, followed by smart speakers, laptops and eReaders. Daily usage of fitness bands and smart watches declined.

 

One in five UK adults (21%) – the equivalent of 10.3 million consumers - purchased at least one new digital device as a result of spending more time at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic according to Deloitte’s Digital Consumer Trends 2020 report. In total, up to 21.2 million digital devices were purchased during the first two months of the lockdown period, including two million printers and monitors.

Deloitte’s research, carried out in May 2020 and surveying the digital habits of 4,150 respondents between the ages of 16 and 75, found that UK adults used 170.3 million devices* daily during the first two months of lockdown, equating to 3.5 devices on average per person.

Games consoles, laptops, smart speakers and eReaders saw the highest uptick in usage. Among those who own the devices, daily usage of games consoles rose by 10 percentage-points, with 44% of owners using their console daily, up from 34% in 2019. Meanwhile, daily smart speaker usage rose from 59% to 66%; laptop usage rose from 67% to 73%; and eReader usage rose from 30% to 34%.

Fitness bands and smart watches both experienced a decline in usage as consumers spent more time at home as a result of the pandemic. 60% of fitness band owners used their device daily during the lockdown period, down from 64% in 2019, while daily smart watch usage declined from 64% to 62%. This comes despite an overall increase in the adoption of wearables, from 27% to 31% in the last year.

Paul Lee, global head of technology, media and telecommunications research at Deloitte, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has increased ownership of a wide range of technologies. Many people upgraded their home entertainment, as staying in became the only going out, with new TVs, games consoles and eReaders proving most popular.

“As lockdown restrictions lift, many will continue to use and enjoy these devices and may prove more open to trying out new technologies as a result. Today, households on average have more than ten digital devices, but in ten years’ time it’s likely to be more than one hundred.”

Television, smartphone and laptop sales rise, while desktop computer purchases stall

Deloitte’s report found that televisions (bought by 6%), smartphones (6%), laptops (6%) and games consoles (5%) were the most popular devices bought during lockdown, with 2% buying a smart watch and fitness band respectively.

Over the course of the year, smart speakers and smart TVs saw the highest growth in ownership. Three in five (59%) consumers now have access to a smart TV, up from 51% in 2019, while smart speaker ownership has risen 29% from 20% previously. Ownership of smart speakers among those aged 65-75 doubled in the year to May 2020, growing from 11% to 21%.

However, not all devices have seen an uptick in usage, with ownership of desktop or tower computers falling from 45% to 40% in 2020.

Overall, Deloitte’s research finds that UK adults now have access to 5.1 digital devices on average, totalling more than 250 million devices across the UK, however this peaks among higher earners. Among those who have an annual income of less than £13,500, 72% own or have access to a digital device, compared to 94% of those earning more than £75,000.

Neil Clements, director in technology, media and telecommunications at Deloitte, said: “The COVID-19 lockdown shifted the status of many devices from a nice-to-have to a must-have as households turned to screens to keep their children educated and entertained, order groceries online or work remotely.

“However, those without access to the right technology or skills to use the technology struggled. Digital inclusion has improved in recent years but the industry must continue to work to address this by offering easy-to-use devices at a variety of price-points, while ensuring fast and reliable connectivity.”

Reading tops the post-lockdown resolution list

Smartphones continue to be the most popular digital device, and are owned by 91% of UK consumers, with 62% agreeing that they used their smartphone a lot more during the lockdown. The same proportion (62%) say that their smartphone has helped them to feel a lot less isolated from family and friends during lockdown.

However, 46% of consumers now think they over-use their smartphone, up from 39% in 2019.

Overall, checking social networks was the digital activity that most people did more during lockdown, at 42%, followed by reading the news online (36%). While 32% said they read more during lockdown, this is the activity that most people intend to keep up once lockdown restrictions have fully lifted, with 59% agreeing they would like to keep reading at the same rate.

Lee concluded: “Smartphones, computers and tablets are now household staples, but in the coming years it will be household and health devices that we will see surge in popularity. Health devices in particular are likely to increase in popularity as a result of COVID-19, with many more willing to invest in this technology to track their fitness levels and even detect symptoms of illness early on.”

Related Topics
  • Device Software & Apps,
  • Devices,
  • Digital Platforms & Services,
  • Global,
  • IoT Devices,
  • PCs,
  • Smart Homes,
  • Smartphones,
  • Telco & CSP,
  • Tracker

More Like This

Security

What’s up with… BT & MTN, Quad Nations & Open RAN, Telekom Austria

May 26, 2022

Security

British government cites security concerns as it probes Drahi’s BT stake and the sale of Newport Wafer Fab

May 26, 2022

Digital Platforms & Services

Broadcom to Acquire VMware for Approximately $61 Billion in Cash and Stock

May 26, 2022

Digital Platforms & Services

Broadcom confirms $61 billion offer to buy VMware

May 26, 2022

Security

BT and MTN Business form strategic alliance to enhance communications services in Africa

May 26, 2022

Email Newsletters

Stay up to date with the latest industry developments: sign up to receive TelecomTV's top news and videos plus exclusive subscriber-only content direct to your inbox – including our daily news briefing and weekly wrap.

Subscribe

Top Picks

Highlights of our content from across TelecomTV today

9:15

DSP Leaders World Forum 2022 Interview: Mattias Fridström, Arelion

11:34

Neos Networks, "the best kept secret in telecoms"?

46:31

Is hybrid cloud still the optimum strategy for telcos?

2:05

Deutsche Telekom: supporting the grid’s evolution

TelecomTV
Company
  • About Us
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
Our Brands
  • DSP Leaders World Forum
  • Great Telco Debate
  • TelecomTV Events
Get In Touch
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 448 1070
Connect With Us
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal Notices
  • Help

TelecomTV is produced by the team at Decisive Media.

© Decisive Media Limited 2022. All rights reserved. All brands and products are the trademarks of their respective holder(s).