One-third of Irish people spend over 20 hours online every week

One-third of Irish people spend more than 20 hours online every week, with broadband now the second most prevalent utility bill in Irish homes.

New research from independent price comparison website uSwitch.ie shows that, on average, Irish adults spend 12 hours per week online, with 16- to 24-year-olds more likely to spend 11-20 hours online, whilst 35-to 44-year-olds are more likely to spend less than four hours online.

The research also showed that nine-in-10 have broadband internet access at home. Three-quarters said they have broadband as part of a bundled product, with just 25% claiming to have standalone broadband.

The uSwitch.ie study also examined what exactly people in Ireland were doing online on a monthly basis and highlighted the following activities:

- 91%: General internet surfing.

- 87%: Emailing.

- 68%: Online banking/financial management.

- 63%: Online shopping.

- 50%: Watching films/ video clips and television programmes.

- 29%: Downloading music (iTunes and Spotify).

Head of uSwitch.ie Eoin Clarke said: “The research shows that more homes now have internet contracts than have contracts for television, gas, home insurance and motor insurance.

“The only utility contract that is more prevalent than broadband in homes in Ireland is electricity; 100% of homes have electricity and 91% of homes have broadband.

“With the popularity of broadband it is important to make sure you are on the right package to meet your needs,” he said.