Broadband in Europe

According to a survey carried out across Europe, broadband usage has seen a rise of around 12% from statistics from 2006. The survey asked 150,000 households across Europe - with the exception of Malta - about their broadband habits. The survey showed that in the first three months of 2007, 54% of households had access to an internet connection, a rise from around 49% in 2006.

Results from the survey showed that around 42% of households in the EU now have access to a broadband connection. Percentages for households with access to the internet varied from country to country - from 19% in Bulgaria to 83% in the Netherlands.

Figures for the UK showed internet access had risen to around 67% - a rise of 4% compared to 2006 - and there has been a sharp rise in the percentage of broadband connections - rising to 57% from last year. With a number of broadband providers now on the market, consumers now have a wide choice of services available to them.

Whilst half of users had sent attachments with e-mails, around a quarter said they had used newsgroups, online discussions and chat rooms. One in ten of those surveyed had created their own web page, with a further 15% having used the internet for making phone calls.

The survey also showed details of the internet habits based on age and gender. The results showed that almost one-third of men over the age of 55 use the internet at least once a week - compared to less than a fifth for women. The results concluded that younger users are more likely to spend time on the internet.

However the results also showed that the numbers of internet users in the 55-to-74 age bracket has seen a rise and the numbers of women in that age gap using the internet - whilst still lower than those of men - has almost doubled in the past three years.

Compare a range of broadband providers to find a cheap broadband deal that suits you.

Streamyx Technical
Streamyx Combo 90
Streamyx Speedometer
Streamyx Promotion
Streamyx Packages
Streamyx Free Modem
Streamyx Tmpoint
Broadband Malaysia
Streamyx Registration
Streamyx Self Installation Guide
Streamyx
Streamyx
Streamyx Soho
Streamyx
Streamyx Packages

Broadband - Crackdown On Illegal Downloads

Since the introduction of file-sharing and peer-to-peer networking, there have been constantly reported high profile legal struggles between the music industry and internet providers.

And now internet providers face potential changes to procedure due to a government green paper which would require them to take action over users who access pirated material.

It is estimated that around six million UK broadband users downloaded files illegally last year, with music and film industries claiming that such practices cost billions of pounds in lost revenue.

And with the government coming under increased pressure from those in the music and film industries to penalise piracy, users could find themselves paying the price for free downloads.

Negotiations between some of the biggest ISPs and some of Hollywood's biggest studios regarding a voluntary scheme for policing illegal downloads have been in progress for several years, however no deal has yet been reached.

Users suspected of illegally downloading music and films face the prospect of a 'three strikes and you're out' system, which could ultimately lead to the disconnection of their broadband service if no steps are taken to cease illegal activity.

However there is growing concern about how disputed allegations would be policed. With an increasing number of cases of 'piggybacking' and 'wi-fi hijacking' as the numbers of wireless broadband networks around the UK continues to grow, there could be difficulties in determining blame in some cases.

The green paper also outlines plans for schemes that would promote creative arts in the UK in a bid to encourage children to visit galleries and museums, attend theatre productions and take up study of a musical instrument.

Looking for better broadband? Perform a broadband speed test and compare broadband providers to find a deal that suits you.

Streamyx
Streamyx Soho
Streamyx Combo 160
Streamyx Technical
Streamyx
Streamyx Kuala Lumpur
Streamyx Business Corporate
Streamyx Registration
Streamyx Combo 90
Streamyx
Streamyx Free Gifts
Streamyx
Streamyx Combo
Streamyx Wireless
Streamyx Combo 512k