Half of UK homes now online

And paying less for the privilege than the rest of Europe

Half of UK homes now have internet access, according to the latest research from telecoms regulator Oftel.

In Britain, around 12.5 million household are online, with 750,000 new users signing up over the last quarter – a higher growth rate than that in France and Germany.

The research, comparing the UK's internet market with those of its continental counterparts, shows there are two compelling reasons for the British's growing fondness for the web – the UK has the upper hand when it comes to price and choice of its connections.

As well as greater access to unmetered access, UK consumers have to pay less for their dial-up access than other European countries, Oftel said.

David Edmonds, director general of telecommunications, said in statement: "Growth in internet access, coupled with some of the lowest prices in Europe, is excellent news…Our research shows that 90 per cent of internet customers are happy with their overall service. We look forward to these trends continuing."

The broadband revolution is set to continue apace, with thrifty Britons enjoying residential access below the European average and Oftel predicting almost a million internet users ditching dial-up in favour of ADSL.