The Q1 2002-03 fixed update covering the period April-June 2002 was published in December 2002. At the time of going to print, the latest edition of the mobile update for Q2 2002-03 was scheduled to be published in February 2003. Both publications are available on Oftel's website from www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/market_info/index.htm.

PSTN Internet call volumes surpass voice

• Oftel estimates that 51% of fixed call volumes were accounted for by dial-up Internet calls during the period - this is the first time that PSTN dial-up Internet call volumes have exceeded voice call volumes.
• Around 75% of dial-up Internet call volumes are unmetered Internet traffic
• Oftel consumer research in August 2002 showed that 61% of online households were on unmetered tariffs.
• Migration from pay-as-you-go to unmetered packages is reflected in falling Special Local Rate (SLR) call volumes and growing freephone volumes.
• By the end of the period, there were around 750,000 broadband Internet users in the UK - this figure had risen to just over a million by the end of September 2002.
• The majority of these (59%) were using cable modem broadband services.
• Growth in PSTN Internet call volumes slowed to just 3% during the quarter - this is possibly a reflection of higher usage Internet users switching to DSL and cable modem services.