Rural surfers network online

After Ofcom figures showed that rural households were more likely to have broadband than urban homes, it has emerged that country-dwellers do more social networking online too.

Web-monitoring firm Hitwise has produced figures that demonstrate those living in the country have different reasons for going online than their urban counterparts, such as making friends and getting their shopping done.

Londoners are the least likely to visit social-networking sites with the Welsh, Scots and Northern Irish the most frequent visitors of the networks.

A similar picture emerges of online retailer's websites, with Londoners staying away from the sites with people from Wales and the South West of England visiting them in their droves.

"Fast internet access allows rural dwellers to access many of the services previously only available to their urban counterparts," said Robin Goad of Hitwise.

Ofcom yesterday reported that 59 per cent of rural homes in the UK have broadband, compared to 57 per cent of urban households.

The industry regulator has also announced this week that it will deregulate 70 per cent of the UK's wholesale broadband market, which could ultimately lead to lower prices for many consumers.

www.hitwise.co.uk
www.ofcom.org.uk