The latest editions of the Mobile and Fixed Updates were published in January 2002. The latest Annual publication was published in December 2001 and covers data for both the mobile and fixed markets over the five-year period 1996/97 to 2000/01. These publications are now available on Oftel's website under Publications and Market Information.

Dial-up Internet

During 2000/01 the UK Internet market continued to grow rapidly. Most recent figures suggest that around 45 per cent of households and 62 per cent of all small businesses are now connected to the Internet.

The proportion of UK telecommunications revenue which is attributable to the Internet is however difficult to pinpoint. Internet service provision is often bundled with other services such as telephony and cable television.

The amount of Internet traffic continues to grow. During 2000/01 the total volume of Internet traffic originating on the PSTN grew by over 200 per cent to 92 billion minutes. As Figure 5.1 below shows, recent traffic growth has broadly mirrored increases in household penetration of Internet access. More recent figures suggest a slowing in the growth of household Internet takeup which may feed through to traffic volumes (at least those attributable to PSTN dial-up), but the increased takeup of always-on broadband services should see overall Internet volumes rise for the foreseeable future.

Broadband

Oftel has been collecting data about a range of broadband services since DSL and cable modem services became available in 2000. Data are collected both at a summary level as part of the regular market information and research programmes but also at more detailed level to inform Oftel's monitoring of development in this important market.

At the end of November 2001 there were over 260,000 DSL and cable modem users. This number has doubled in five months and is over five times higher than at the end of 2000. BT estimates that DSL services are now available to over 60 per cent of the population, while ntl and Telewest's cable modem services are available to around 40 per cent.