Helen MilnerCEO - Online Centres Foundation

Digital EngagementTowards a Network Nation11 September 2012 

We’re doing well

• Between 2009 and 2011 an additional 7.7% of the UK population became internet users• UK: 76.4% (Sept 2009) -> 84.1% (Dec

2011)• As a comparison in the US between 2009 and

2011 an additional 2% of the US population became internet users• USA: 76.3% (Nov 2009) -> 78.3% (Dec 2011)

The internet makes you happier than money

The BCS research found that: ‘IT has a direct positive impact on life

satisfaction, even when controlling for income and other factors known to be important in determining well-being’

Source: The Information Dividend: Why IT makes you ‘happier’, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT by Trajectory Partnership, September 2010

The internet makes you more employable

• 73% of employers wouldn't even interview entry level candidates who didn't have basic IT skills

ICM/UK online centres survey, February 2012

Who is offline? (has NEVER used the internet)

Everyday use is exploding: creating a bigger divide

Percentage UK population use of the internetSource: ONS up to Q3 2011

There are three main barriers

Freshminds 2007 and 2009

5000 local community partners responding to the people who need them

41% of disabled peoplehave never used internet

60% of over 65s have never used

Broadband take-upby area variesfrom 50% to 80%

Digital Engagement = People

Do we need to choose between people and pipes?

Pipes• Shetland Islands:

• 0% superfast broadband• 19.9% of the households <2Mbits/sec• 71% take-up

• Rutland:• 0% superfast broadband• 22.1% at <2Mbits/sec• 74% take-up making it in the top 10% of

areas for take-up in the UK

Ofcom 2011

People• Middlesbrough:

• 91% superfast broadband• 9.6% <2Mbits/sec• 58% of houses have taken-up broadband

putting it in the lowest 10% in terms of take-up• Sandwell 55% of people use broadband• South Tyneside 57%• Stoke-on-Trent 58%• Barnsley 59%

A tale of two issues

• Cumbria has less pipes yet more people online

• Hartlepool has more pipes and less people online

• It’s clear that investment needs to continue in both building infrastructure and supporting people

1m online for £30m: Saving £157mThrough UK online centres April 2010 – July 2012

1 April 2010 – 27 April 2012

Local+ Technology

+ Scale

88% people feel more confident79% think they are more independent

after they have got help to use the internet

2% of £1bn = £20m

Should we share the investment in pipes with an investment in people?

If we just build it will they come?

Thank Youhelen@ukonlinecentres.com@helenmilner on twitterSlideshare.net/helenmilnerwww.ukonlinecentres.com