If One Revolution Has Already Occurred, Another Is Waiting In The Wings

Egg and MORI today publish The Egg Report: Embracing Technology - a study into the take-up, use and speed of adoption of 'new technology' by the British public.

The results reveal two pictures: first of a nation which has wholeheartedly embraced many aspects of new technology:

• 14 million people are dependent on their mobile phones
• 15 million are online at home
• 9 million have digital television
• a third of internet users now buy products online
• four and a half million people now bank online

Over two thirds of current users feel that mobiles, digital TV and PCs have become part of their everyday lives and by mid-2001 the report indicates that half the UK population will be online.

However, the report also shows a nation not yet realising the full potential of new technologies:

• Although 18m people use a PC or laptop for personal use, the majority (61%) use it mainly for traditional word processing
• 29 million adults still do not use a PC, of whom nine million claim they never will
• WAP is used only by 2% of the population
• Just over half the population (51%) are only interested in applications of new technology if they directly affect their current lifestyle

The report also reveals a nation on the verge of a fundamental shift. Some 17 million people are expected to access a new technology product for the first time over the next six months and by mid 2001, more than 23 million people in the UK could be online.

Over the next four to five years, some 10 million people say they will depend on new technology for shopping, 14 million for banking, and six million people say they will make investments online.

Commenting on the report, Mike Harris, Chief Executive of Egg, said: "It is clear to us that while many people have embraced new technology, it is still not being used to its full potential.

The evidence in this report shows, however, that we are on the verge of an explosion of new technologies in the UK. The speed of adoption is likely to be rapid - from first accessing a new technology to becoming dependent can take as little as one month. The driving factors will be usability and relevance to customers' lives."

Stewart Lewis, Director of MORI commented: "Most people aren't interested in technology for technology's sake, but our research confirms that people are very interested in technologies that make life's inescapable chores easier, help them increase their leisure time and get the most out of it."

The full Egg Report will be repeated on an annual basis with certain aspects tracked and released to the press regularly through-out the year.

^* Denotes comment from Sir Robert Worcester, Chairman of MORI

Technical details

In total 2,029 interviews were conducted with adults aged 16+ across Great Britain. All interviews were conducted face-to-face by MORI, in-home between 12th August - 5th September 2000.

The questionnaire was 30 minutes in length. The sample was selected by means of a two-stage design: a random selection of Enumeration Districts (EDs) followed by a quota sample within ED. The data has been weighted to reflect the national profile. Full tabulated results are available in a separate volume.

The Egg Report will be repeated on an annual basis with certain aspects tracked throughout the year.