The soaring stats revealed: Internet usage in the age of lockdown

It comes as no surprise that internet use has skyrocketed in the age of lockdown. With the majority of us having turned to the online world for all our working, learning and entertainment needs, there’s no doubt why broadband providers across the globe have seen internet usage statistics hit the roof.

You’re probably wondering what impact the increase in internet users and our endless time spent online means for the UK’s internet usage statistics… Well, it’s lucky we’re not ones to disappoint – now’s the perfect time to grab a cuppa and get clued up on the latest internet usage stats during life of the UK lockdown.

Sky-high internet stats revealed by Ofcom

The Online Nation Study by Ofcom in April 2020 reveals that UK adults are now spending more than a quarter of their waking day online, averaging at around 4 hours 2 minutes each day. In comparison to the September 2019 internet usage reports, it’s clear the time we devote online has soared above previous records of just under 3 hours 29 minutes for the nation’s online adults. This means, the amount of time spent online throughout the corona crisis has even surpassed the average time we watch TV or listen to the radio on a daily basis. (Who’d have thought, right!)

How many internet users are there in the UK?

It’s understandable that internet use has climbed an all-time high in the UK since the discovery of covid-19. But how does this measure up against the amount of internet users in pre-lockdown times? Here’s a breakdown of the internet usage facts, revealing just how many people use the internet in the UK…

The digital 2020 report for the UK disclosed the number of internet users in the United Kingdom had sprung up by 290 thousand people between 2019 and 2020. It was recorded there were 65.00 million internet users in January 2020, with internet penetration standing at 96%. The vast increased demand on networks has inevitably piled on the pressure and brought new challenges to broadband providers across the UK and beyond – yet the development in technology and services on offer is able to ease the strain.

Looking for a better broadband package? Discover what we’ve got on offer to keep you connected when it truly matters.

Changes to communications during Covid-19

Although we’ve already seen a move from conventional forms of communication such as landline calls and sending SMS text messages; Coronavirus has quickly paved the way for further change in how we communicate with each other.

In a bid to keep “business as usual” throughout the pandemic, the nation has had to quickly adapt to the “new normal” by embracing the virtual world and all it has to offer. The current circumstances see us making more calls, sending more emails and exchanging a higher rate of online messages than ever before; yet the most notable growth in online services come from an increasing demand for video calling. It’s no wonder that online applications such as Zoom, HouseParty, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams (as well as various other video sharing services like TikTok and Facebook) have seen a sudden surge in growth as a result of our huge amounts of time spent online. Zoom in particular displayed the highest rise in online users, expanding from 659,000 users to a jaw dropping 13 million users over the lockdown period alone.

Findings from the Ofcom study revealed more than 7 in 10 UK adults online are now making video calls weekly – which proves to have doubled during lockdown from the mere 35% using these services before. The enhanced growth in video conferencing has been particularly visible among online adults aged 65+ making at least one video call each week. According to the data, this figure has rocketed from just 22% in February 2020 to a record breaking 61% in May 2020. We’re not surprised of course, seeing as we all know the importance of keeping social more than ever for our mental health and wellbeing alone.

Keeping connected is key

Whilst we’ve been continually staring at our screens to keep in touch with normality as we now know it, internet service providers in the UK have been working harder than ever to ensure everyone stays cool, calm and connected at this crucial time. It’s a unprecedented time for all – but one that’s become all the more bearable through the wonders of the web.

Airband are extremely proud to be helping thousands of people throughout this time, with the means to stay connected no matter what life throws at us. So, if you’d like to improve your internet connection and gain a broadband service you can trust, check out our broadband coverage checker to see if you’re in range, or speak to our experts on 01905 676 121 to see how we can help you.