'Computer training could help increase broadband demand'

15:45 26th February 2009

Computer training could help increase the demand for broadband across the UK, according to the head of a broadband comparison website.

Charlie Ponsonby, chief executive officer of Simplifydigital, said that nearly 40 per cent of UK homeowners live in areas where broadband connections are available but they choose not to take it up.

Of this 40 per cent, 16 per cent choose not to buy despite being able to afford the monthly charges and Mr Ponsonby said that IT training could encourage these people to experiment with how the internet could benefit their lives.

Mr Ponsonby said: "30 percent of UK homes still do not own a PC and there are 17 million adults who have little or no experience of using a PC and surfing the web and have no desire so to do."

He added that convincing millions of people to learn more about the internet could be a challenge, while subsidising equipment and service purchases for low-income families also presents a problem.

The government has pledged to get every home in the UK hooked up to a broadband internet connection by 2012.