6.6 Non-ownership of communications services
6.6.1 Non-ownership of broadband remains high, at around a fifth of households
Understanding non-ownership and the reasons for it tells us whether there are any problems that need to be addressed to enable consumers to access communication services.
There are many reasons for not owning a particular communications service, and these generally fall into one of two categories: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary non-ownership is where potential consumers do without services because they perceive they do not need them, or because they are satisfied with alternative services. Involuntary non-ownership is where potential consumers do without services but not through choice; this is mainly due to affordability.
The following figures show non-ownership of communications services in general, before looking specifically at voluntary and involuntary reasons.
18% Size of the device Availability/ range of choice of
e-booksfor the device
Figure 87 shows that non-ownership of communications services has not changed significantly since 2012, with the exception of digital TV, where non-ownership has fallen from 5% to 2% due to digital switchover.
Figure 87 Non-ownership of communications services
Source: Ofcom communication tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ (Q2 2008, 2109) (Q2 2009, 2085) (Q2 2010, 2106) (Q2 2011, 2862) (Q2 2012, 2893) (Q2 2013, 2879)
6.6.2 Two per cent of households now do not have access to a mobile phone service
Among those living in a household without access to a fixed line, as in each year since 2008, the majority (94%) personally own a mobile phone and 98% have access to at least one mobile in their household (Figure 88).
Figure 88 Access to mobile services among those who do not have access to a mobile phone
Source: Ofcom communication tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ who do not own a fixed-line (Q2 2008, 261) (Q2 2009, 274) (Q2 2010, 340) (Q2 2011, 400) (Q2 2012, 446) (Q2 2013, 458)
Fixed line Mobile (personally own)
Internet Broadband Digital TV
2008
Q2 2008 Q2 2009 Q2 2010 Q2 2011 Q2 2012 Q2 2013
Personally own mobile Access to mobile in household
6.6.3 Levels of those not intending to take up communications services remain unchanged
The number of consumers who do not intend to take up services remained unchanged in 2013, at just over one in ten (12%) without a fixed line and just over one in ten (12%) without the internet at home (Figure 89).
Figure 89 Do not intend to take up communications services in the next 12 months
Source: Ofcom communication tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ (Q2 2008, 2109) (Q2 2009, 2085) (Q2 2010, 2106) (Q2 2011, 2862) (Q2 2012, 2893) (Q2 2013, 2879)
*Data for mobile and digital TV not available in 2013. Data for broadband not available for Q2 2010 and 2011 although responses for ‘internet’ will largely relate to take-up of broadband.
6.6.4 Voluntary non-ownership of internet services highest among those aged over 75
This section assesses the numbers, and profiles, of consumers who do not have internet services for voluntary reasons.
Voluntary non-ownership is where potential consumers have not taken up services, primarily due to their perceived lack of need for a service, or their satisfaction with alternative
services. Where both voluntary and involuntary reasons were stated, involuntary non-ownership is reported. This assumes that involuntary reasons take precedence over voluntary reasons (although this is not always the case). It should also be noted that some consumers may give ‘voluntary’ non-ownership reasons because they do not wish to disclose financial/affordability issues to the researcher.
The percentage of consumers who do not have internet services for voluntary reasons has declined steadily since 2008 (Figure 90). Just over one in five (21%) of over-75s voluntarily do without internet services. Since 2012, consumers aged 65-74 have been more likely to choose not to take up internet services (15% vs. 9%).
9
22 9
20
12 15
12
17
11 12 14 12
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Do not intend to take up fixed line Do not intend to take up internet
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Figure 90 Voluntary (only) non-ownership of internet services, by age and gender
Source: Ofcom communications tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ (Q2 2008, 2109) (Q2 2009, 2085) (Q2 2010, 2106) (Q2 2011, 2862) (Q2 2012, 2893) (Q2 2013, 2879)
6.6.5 Involuntary non-ownership of internet has fallen significantly among those aged over 75
Involuntary non-ownership is where potential consumers have not taken up a service, but not through choice. Involuntary non-ownership is primarily due to affordability. A few consumers gave reasons that were both voluntary and involuntary; these responses have been reported under ‘involuntary’ non-ownership.
Figure 91 shows a decline in the overall level of involuntary non-ownership of the internet since 2012 (from 9% to 7%). The level has remained relatively stable over time for those aged from 16 to 64. Although involuntary non-ownership remains significantly higher among those aged 65-74, and over 75, the levels have fallen for these older consumers since 2012 (from 22% to 15% and from 42% to 33% respectively); this trend is in line with previous years.
Figure 91 Involuntary non-ownership of internet services, by age and gender
Source: Ofcom communication tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ (Q2 2008, 2109) (Q2 2009, 2085) (Q2 2010, 2106) (Q2 2011, 2862) (Q2 2012, 2893) (Q2 2013, 2879)
Total 16-24 25-44 45-64 65-74 75+ Male Female
Q2 2008
Total 16-24 25-44 45-64 65-74 75+ Male Female
Q2 2008
The overall decline in involuntary non-ownership of the internet since 2012 is also driven by a decline among the DE socio-economic group (from 22% to 16%). Other socio-economic groups remain relatively unchanged. Both urban and rural locations also saw a decline in involuntary non-ownership of the internet (Figure 92). It remains higher among C2DEs, accounting for just under one in five (16%) DEs. Involuntary non-ownership was higher in urban (8%) than in rural locations (4%) in 2013.
Figure 92 Involuntary non-ownership of internet services, by socio-economic group and urbanity
Source: Ofcom communication tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ (Q2 2008, 2109) (Q2 2009, 2085) (Q2 2010, 2106) (Q2 2011, 2862) (Q2 2012, 2893) (Q2 2013, 2879)
6.6.6 Mobile phones and PCs are the devices that over-65s find most difficult to use
Difficulty using communications technology can affect people’s ability to make the most of the services that are available to them.
The proportion of consumers saying they have difficulty using communications services has remained stable, with just under one in ten mobile phone owners claiming to have difficulty using their phone (Figure 93).
10
2 6
11
21
11 10 7
3 5
10
21
10 10
8
2 5 9
18
8 10
10
2 5 9
23
10 8
9
3 5 9
22
10 9
7
2 5 6
16
8
4
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Total AB C1 C2 DE Urban Rural
Q2 2008 Q2 2009 Q2 2010 Q2 2011 Q2 2012 Q2 2013
Figure 93 Difficulties using communications services
Source: Ofcom communications tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ with a fixed line Q2 2008, 1845) (Q2 2009, 1810) (Q2 2010, 1766) (Q2 2011, 2456) (Q2 2012, 2445) (Q2 2013, 2421). Mobile (Q2 2008, 1911) (Q2 2009, 1835) (Q2 2010, 1892) (Q2 2011, 2543) (Q2 2012, 2582) (Q2 2013, 2595). PC (Q2 2008, 1824) (Q2 2009, 2308) (Q2 2010, 1593) (Q2 2011, 2150) (Q2 2012, 2172) (Q2 2013, 2102). Television (Q2 2008, 1910) (Q2 2009, 2064) (Q2 2010, 2076) (Q2 2011, 2794) (Q2 2012, 2832) (Q2 2013, 2820).
Older consumers, particularly the over-75s, are the most likely to state that they have difficulties using each of the communications services. Forty-five per cent of this age group said they had difficulty using their PC, followed by 39% saying they had difficulty using their mobile phone (Figure 94). The level of difficulty using their PC reported by those aged over 75 is lower than that reported in 2012 (45% vs. 54%).
Those in socio-economic group DE appear to have the most difficulty using the various communication services. The level of difficulty using their PC, reported by DEs, is lower than in 2012 (10% vs. 15%). In 2013, those in urban locations were more likely than those in rural locations to report any difficulties using their PC, while those in rural locations were more likely to report any difficulties using their mobile phone.
Figure 94 Difficulties using various communications services, by age and gender
Source: Ofcom communications tracking survey
Base: All adults 16+ with a fixed line (Q2 2013, 2421). Mobile (Q2 2013, 2595). PC (Q2 2013, 2102).
Television (Q2 2013, 2820) 7
Fixed line Mobile PC Television
2008
Total 16-24 25-44 45-64 65-74 75+ Male Female
Fixed line
Mobile
PC
Television
Section 7