Web boom 'may leave some behind'

Half of all homes in Wales have a broadband internet connection

Technology use is "booming" in Wales but is in danger of leaving behind those who have not engaged with it, claims a report.

The Welsh Consumer Council said those over 65 and the "less affluent" were less likely to use mobile phones, digital television and the internet.

It also said it was concerned that 11% of adults were not aware of the digital television switchover in 2009/10.

It said public bodies should still take account of those who were not online.

The consumer body's report found mobile phone ownership and internet access in Wales has had an "upward trend" over the past five years, while digital television rates remain among the highest in the UK.

The study found 55% of households in Wales have a home internet connection and 90% of these connections were broadband.

Its research found 57% of people used the web for their own use in 2007, a rise from 47% in March last year, and a rise across all age groups.

TECHNOLOGY IN WALES 4 in 5 have digital TV service 79% have a mobile phone 55% of households on internet 90% of home internet connections are broadband Source: Welsh Consumer Council

Yet the report concluded that the technology was still accessed more younger people and the better off.

Those least likely to use the internet were the most likely to face disadvantage in other areas of life, it said.

Only 21% of people 65 and over accessed the internet for personal use, with e-mail, information/research or buy and selling online the most popular uses.

In comparison, 75% for people aged 25 to 34 used the internet for personal reasons, which also included downloading music, playing games and "social networking".

More than half of adults in Wales use the internet for personal use

In geographic terms, people living in the south Wales valleys were less likely to use a home computer than people in other parts of Wales.

Report author Sarah Richards said there were "still quite a lot of people" who were not using the internet and said it was "easy to forget about them".

She said: "As more and more information, goods and services are provided online, local authorities and government use the internet as a means of communication with the public.

"It's important to note that older people and people on low incomes are least likely to access the internet and therefore will be relying on other means of communication for that information.

'Internet savvy'

"It highlights the importance of providing information via face-to-face or paper-based means or via the telephone."

Richard Guppy, 82, from Torfaen, attended courses to learn how to use a computer, but said the costs of going online would be an 'important factor' for older people.

He said: "It's opened up a new world for me. Not only me but my wife as well. We now do many things that we couldn't do before.

"We can send e-mails, we can surf the internet. We can download digital pictures from across the world.

"It was obvious that this was the future and we didn't want to be left out."

The Welsh Consumer Council report interviewed 953 people.