New research shows that half of Irish households had access to the internet in the first three months of this year, which is slightly lower than the EU average of 52%.
Figures from EU statistics agency Eurostat show that 80% of households in the Netherlands had internet access, 63% in the UK and 67% of households in Germany. In Greece 23% had internet access and in Slovakia 27% had access.
Eurostat said 52% of households in the EU could log onto the Internet in the first quarter of this year, compared with 48 percent for the same period of 2005.
ICT Ireland, the association representing the high tech industry in IBEC, said our leadership position in the global technology industry has not filtered down to our citizens, and that action must be taken to prevent a digital divide.
Director of the Telecommunications and Internet Federation Tommy McCabe said with broadband now available to 80% of the population, government and industry now need to turn their attention to demand.
