The number of people using the internet is steadily increasing due to the ease at which they can get connected, according to one expert.

James Smythe, general manager of the UK Online Measurement Company (UKOM), said recent figures showing an increase in user numbers can be attributed to connection ease and the fact that more and more people need to use the internet for work.

UKOM recently published a set of figures which revealed that the number of people using the internet increased from 36.9 million in May 2009 to 38.8 million people in May this year.

The research also showed that the rise can be attributed to more people aged over 50 years getting themselves online.

According to the UKOM report, the UK saw 1.9 million people added to its internet audience in the last year, of which one million were aged over 50 years.

Mr Smythe said internet access in the UK is now becoming universal and making people's lives easier.

"Getting connected to internet at home has become easier, and it has become a part of more people's working lives too. Speed of connection must also be a factor - widespread access to decent broadband speeds means that the internet is getting better at making people's lives easier," he commented.

The expert also said the figures prove that the UK is already a "strong" digital economy.

"All age groups in the population are able to get online more easily now with less need to be technically competent," he added.

Categories: UK Online

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