Microsoft: Consumers will not sacrifice broadband

09:43 19th February 2009

Consumers will not now sacrifice their broadband connection to save money as the internet is too important to people's everyday lives, according to Microsoft.

Ashley Highfield, managing director and vice president of consumer and online UK at Microsoft, said that the internet had become so integral to the modern way of life that the recession would not decrease the number of people accessing it.

The computer expert added that there was more demand for cheaper broadband services, but at the same time more electronic goods were being sold.

Talking to the Intellect Annual Regent Conference 2009, Mr Highfield said: "There has been no evidence so far and I don't believe there will be, of anyone giving up broadband anymore than anyone's going to give up water or electricity."

Many people choose to use their home broadband connection for home learning courses or as a way of searching for IT jobs.

Last year, a report from Ofcom found that Britons spent an average of 24 minutes a day using computers in 2007, compared to just six minutes a day in 2002.