Wales and north-west lead digital take-up
Wales and the north-west of England boast the highest take-up of digital television in the UK (both at 72%), while London and Northern Ireland have the lowest (58% and 53% respectively), according to the latest study by media regulator Ofcom.
The Communications Market Report for the Nations and Regions of the UK also notes that digital terrestrial television availability is highest in England's north-west, compared to a UK average of 73%. And at 22 hours a week, people in Scotland watch the most digital TV, which has been widely adopted in Wales with higher-than-average take-up (72% against 65%).
The new review, part of Ofcom's ongoing communications market research programme, examines availability, take-up and usage of internet, telecoms and broadcasting services, comparing findings across Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the nine English Regions.
The report claims that availability, take-up and consumption of communications services are generally determined by social background and rural or urban differences. Satisfaction with electronic communications services is generally high across the different parts of the UK. But there are a number of areas where national or regional differences seem to affect availability, take-up and consumption.
Key findings include:
- People with digital TV in Scotland and north-east of England watch the most television in the UK (both at 28 hours per week) whereas those in London and Northern Ireland watch the least (at 23 hours per week).
- Londoners spend the most on communications services, but as a proportion of disposable income, London has one of the lowest spending levels. Northern Ireland and Wales are among the highest.
- Levels of PC ownership, internet and broadband take-up (among internet households) in the Nations and Regions can vary by as much as 18%.
Ofcom chief operating officer Ed Richards said: "This is the first time that robust comparative data for the Nations and the English Regions has been brought together in this way. The analysis highlights a series of important challenges that will face industry, Ofcom and various tiers of government in the future".
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