Ofcom Consumer Panel's research shows older people and low income households could get more benefit from communications technologies
01 June 2006
The independent Ofcom Consumer Panel's nationwide research today reveals that older people and low-income households are less engaged in the communications market than the rest of the population. The study of 3000 people - both residential and small businesses - shows that older people are least likely to be aware of, understand or own new communications technologies.
Awareness of digital switchover has doubled since 2005 to 52% and yet 60% of low-income households are unaware of it. Friends and family are still the most important source of information and advice for almost half of UK consumers but people over 65 are significantly less likely to know someone who could provide support with digital switchover.
Colette Bowe, Chairman of the Ofcom Consumer Panel comments:
"There have been some encouraging improvements since last year especially around people's awareness of digital TV and broadband, but it is clear that certain groups within society are not reaping full benefit from the communications market. Low-income households, for example, are less likely to have the internet or landlines, but spend proportionately more of their income on communications technology than the rest of the population and are least likely to switch suppliers."
Key findings of the research include:
Low-income households are twice as likely than the national average to feel they can't use landlines or the internet largely due to cost.
Levels of consumer concern have increased since 2005. A quarter of small businesses are dissatisfied with landline and internet services and a third with their mobiles. Amongst consumers there is a marked increase in concern about cost, unsolicited calls and internet spam. Across each of the services, consumers are least likely to be satisfied that suppliers are ensuring they are on the best deals available.
Half of the UK population is not aware of any specialist equipment for landlines, mobiles and pcs that assists people with hearing or visual difficulties whilst two-thirds of people under 65 with hearing difficulties report problems using mobiles. Worryingly only one in ten people with visual difficulties and two in ten with hearing difficulties use specialist equipment.
The Panel believes that industry is missing a trick in not designing and marketing equipment for people who have impairments as a factor of age and who would not consider themselves in the market for specialist equipment.
Colette Bowe continued:
"Of particular concern to us is that age continues to be the most significant factor in keeping informed with developments - 77% of people over 65 say they do not keep informed about new developments and 73% of retired people. The Panel is conducting further research to understand the barriers and motivating factors for older people which we will release in July this year. Our research provides a vital stock take for the communications industry and shows there are still problems which it needs to address."
The research is quantitative and provides a breakdown of the issues particularly affecting England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland as well as concerns of people with disabilities, older people and low- income households (under £11,500). The interviews included 2, 700 residential customers and 300 small businesses and sole traders.