NEWS6 August 2015

Smartphones overtake laptops for internet access

UK — 33% of UK internet users say that their smartphone is the most important device for accessing the internet, compared with 30% choosing their, laptop according to Ofcom.

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When asked the same question in 2014, just 23% chose their smartphone and 40% preferred their laptop. The UK is now a “smartphone society”, the communications regulator has said.

These findings come from the Communications Market 2015 report from Ofcom, which also reveals that 4G coverage has increased by 17.7% to 89.5% in the last year, and total UK 4G mobile subscriber numbers increased from 2.7m to 23.6m in that time. This marks a shift from 3% to 28% of all mobile subscriptions. Smartphones are also the most widely-owned internet-enabled device, alongside laptops, being present in 66% of all households ( 65% of households have a laptop).

Findings from other areas revealed:

56% of UK homes had a TV connected to the internet, either via a set-top box or a smart TV, at the end of 2014
By May 2015, 83% of all UK premises were able to receive superfast broadband
54% of UK households now have a tablet
Internet users aged 16+ spent 20 hours and 30 minutes online each week in 2014
Over seven in ten online adults have a social networking profile