Despite recession, Britons do not give up on using communication technology: research

Britons are not willing to give up using communications technology like broadband, mobile phones and pay-TV subscriptions despite the recession, but would rather forego eating out and holidays says a new report by the British media regulator.

The UK media regulator Ofcom said in its latest report yesterday that the recession has failed to dent the British public's love of communications, with UK consumers spending more time than ever before watching TV, using their mobile phone and surfing the internet.

In a poll conducted on 862 people, 47 per cent respondent said they would choose to cut back on going out for dinner, 41 per cent on DIY and 41 per cent on holidays.

This compares with only 19 per cent who said that they would cut back on mobile phone spend, 16 per cent on TV subscriptions and 10 per cent on their broadband services.

Peter Phillips, Ofcom partner, Strategy & Market Developments, said, "Despite the recession, people are spending more time watching TV, using their mobile phone or accessing the internet."

The research revealed how important the £52-billion TV, radio, broadband, telecoms and mobile industries remain to consumers despite the recession.