Archive:Mobile connection to internet

Data from December 2013. Most recent data: Further Eurostat information, Main tables and Database.

This article presents recent statistics on the information and communication technologies (ICT) used by enterprises in the European Union (EU). Use of information and communication technologies (ICT), and in particular new ways of accessing and using the internet efficiently, is driving the way that enterprises run their business and organise e-commerce.

Figure 1: Internet access, fixed broadband connection to the internet, enterprises providing portable devices for mobile connection to the internet, by size class, EU-28, 2013 (% of enterprises)
Source: Eurostat (isoc_ci_in_en2) and (isoc_ci_it_en2) and (isoc_bde15b_e)

Table 1: Internet access, fixed broadband connection to the internet, enterprises providing portable devices for mobile connection to the internet, by size class (% of enterprises)
Source: Eurostat (isoc_ci_in_en2) and (isoc_ci_it_en2) and (isoc_bde15dip)

Figure 2: Enterprises providing portable devices for mobile connection to the internet, by type of device, 2012 (% of enterprises).
Source: Eurostat (isoc_cimobe_dev)

Figure 3: Enterprises providing portable devices for mobile connection to the internet by purpose and economic activity, EU-28, 2012 (% of enterprises providing portable devices)
Source: Eurostat (isoc_cimobe_use)

Figure 4: Obstacles preventing or limiting the use of portable devices that allowed a mobile connection to the internet, EU-28, 2012 (% of enterprises)
Source: Eurostat (isoc_cimobe_obs)

Main statistical findings

In 2013, nine out of ten enterprises in the 28 EU Member States had access to and used the internet through a fixed broadband connection, and more than half of all enterprises used a mobile connection and provided staff with portable devices for business use.

With these portable devices European enterprises could offer their staff more "ubiquitous connectivity" exploiting a wide range of existing technologies, from wireless "hot spots" in public locations, to internet access over mobile telephone networks.

In 2012, some 45 % of the enterprises providing portable devices said they were to be used with dedicated business software applications over the internet, e.g. for sales management.

Internet access

Internet access and use of fixed broadband technologies reaching saturation

The percentage of EU enterprises that have internet access and use fixed broadband internet connections seems to have reached saturation level in 2013 (at 96 % and 90 % respectively) with a small increase (+1 and +4 percentage points respectively), compared to previous year. The share of enterprises that have internet access was similar in most countries. In 19 out of 28 EU countries 96 % or more of enterprises reported having internet access. The lowest shares were reported by enterprises in Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece and Romania (89 %, 88%, 87 % and 83 % respectively).

Business use of portable devices

Types of portable devices provided to persons employed

In 2013, 54 % of enterprises in the EU provided staff with portable devices that allowed a mobile connection to the internet for business use (Table 1). Portable devices fall into two main groups: portable computers (e.g. laptops, notebooks and tablets) and other portable devices like smartphones and personal digital assistant (PDA) phones.

Around nine out of ten large enterprises provided their staff with portable devices that allowed a mobile connection to the internet for business use. The share for small and medium-sized enterprises was 49 % and 74 % respectively.

Roughly equal proportions of EU enterprises provided staff with one of the two types of portable devices. In 2012, some 40 % of enterprises provided portable computers and 39 % of enterprises provided other portable devices. In general, the former have higher computing power, more capabilities and bigger screens.

The main business use of portable devices was mobile access to e-mail

Concerning the purpose and the deployment of portable devices for accessing the internet over telephone networks, respondents were given various options, reflecting two important issues: firstly, the level of security required for accessing and using the internet via portable devices; secondly, the usage of dedicated or customised business software applications e.g. for sales management, enterprise resource planning or customer relationship management. Some 86 % of enterprises that provided their staff with portable devices reported that they were used for business to access publicly available information on the internet.

With reference to restricted access requiring specific access rights but not the use of dedicated business software, 88 % of enterprises used portable devices to access the enterprise’s e-mail and 56 % to access and amend documents. In particular, access to the enterprise’s e-mail and access to publicly available information on the internet were common among enterprises scoring above 80 % in all economic sectors. Some 45 % of enterprises reported that portable devices were used over the internet via mobile telephone networks for dedicated business applications that additionally required specific user access rights.

Obstacles limiting the use of portable devices (2012 survey)

Problems with connectivity and high operating costs were the main obstacles limiting the use of portable devices for mobile internet connection

Important obstacles may limit or prevent enterprises from using portable devices effectively for mobile connection to the internet. Indeed, enterprises may consider a range of technical or non-technical, internal or external issues that may need to be addressed.

Some 21 % of all EU enterprises reported connectivity problems to mobile telephone networks (e.g. low speed, poor or no telephone network signal) as a limitation. High costs for the subscription or use of the internet over telephone networks were also an obstacle for 21 %. Some 17 % of enterprises expressed concerns about security-related risks such as interception of data resulting in disclosure of information, or the destruction or corruption of data. Technical obstacles or high costs for integrating mobile connection to the internet in the enterprise’s existing business applications were reported as a limitation by 17 %.

Some 12 % of enterprises reported other obstacles that may broadly concern a lack of skills or knowledge, adaptability to new working practices or legal barriers. While 49 % of all EU enterprises did not consider any of the above obstacles, 30 % reported at least one obstacle that limited or prevented the business use of portable devices for a mobile telephone connection to the internet.

To a certain extent, respondents' views of the obstacles vary according to enterprises' size. Small enterprises see connectivity problems and high costs for subscription or use of the internet as the main limitations (20 % and 21% respectively). Large enterprises see connectivity problems and security-related risks as more important (29 % and 26 % respectively).

Data sources and availability

Data presented in this publication are based on the results of the 2013 European Union survey on ‘ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises’. Statistics were obtained from enterprise surveys conducted by National Statistical Authorities in 2013. The survey reference period was January 2013, or for some questions, the year 2012. Part of the article is based on results of the 2012 survey when relevant information was not available from the 2013 survey.

In 2013, 147 000 out of 1,5 million enterprises in the EU-28 were surveyed. Of the 1,5 million enterprises, approximately 83 % were enterprises with 10-49 persons employed (small), 14 % with 50-249 (medium) and 3 % with 250 or more (large).

Data in some tables are shown as ‘:’ and refer to data that are unavailable, unreliable, confidential or not applicable. Unreliable data are included in the calculation of European aggregates.

The observation statistical unit is the enterprise, as defined in Council Regulation 696/93 of 15 March 1993. The survey covered enterprises with at least 10 persons employed. Economic activities correspond to the classification NACE Revision 2. The survey covered enterprises in the following economic sectors: manufacturing, electricity, gas and steam, water supply, construction, wholesale and retail trades, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, transportation and storage, accommodation and food service activities, information and communication, real estate, professional, scientific and technical activities, administrative and support activities and repair of computers and communication equipment.

Enterprises that provide their staff with portable devices that allow a mobile connection to the internet for business use are those that additionally pay for all, or at least up to a limit, of the subscription and the use costs.

A mobile connection to the internet means the use of portable devices connecting to the internet through mobile telephone networks.

Portable devices that allow a mobile connection to the internet refer to a) portable computers (e.g. notebook, netbook, laptop, ultra-mobile PC (UMPC), tablet PC) and b) other portable devices such as a smartphone or PDA phone.

Context

Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and in particular new ways of accessing and using the internet efficiently, is driving the way that enterprises run their business and organise e-commerce.

Further Eurostat information

Computers and the Internet in households and enterprises (isoc_ci)

Internet - Level of access, use and activities (isoc_ci_in)

Enterprises - level of Internet access (NACE Rev. 2) (isoc_ci_in_en2)

Enterprises - type of connection to the Internet (NACE Rev. 2) (isoc_ci_it_en2)

Policy indicators (isoc_pi)

Broadband and Connectivity - Enterprises (isoc_bde15b_e)

Computers and the Internet in households and enterprises (isoc_ci)

Special module 2012: Mobile connection to the Internet (isoc_ci_mob)

Enterprises - Mobile connection for business use (isoc_ci_mobe)

Devices used for mobile connection to the Internet (isoc_cimobe_dev)

Business use of mobile connection to the Internet (isoc_cimobe_use)

Obstacles that limit / prevent the use of mobile connections to the Internet (isoc_cimobe_obs)

Dedicated section

Information society

Methodology / Metadata

Eurostat Metadata ICT usage and e-commerce in enterprises (isoc_bde15d_esms)

Other information

Regulation 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society
Regulation 960/2008 implementing Regulation 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society
Regulation 1023/2009 implementing Regulation 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society
Regulation 821/2010 implementing Regulation 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society
Regulation 937/2011 implementing Regulation 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society
Regulation 1083/2012 implementing Regulation 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society
Regulation 696/1993 of 15 March 1993 on the statistical units for the observation and analysis of the production system in the Community

External links

Digital Agenda for Europe