Global Digital Technology Adoption Statistics Sources

Review of consumer and business access and usage levels of digital technology should inform long-term strategy development for Internet marketing. The trends show adoption of new digital technologies that can be used to create a roadmap of when new services like social networking or mobile marketing can be introduced. These statistics sources also suggest changes in consumer behaviour and perceptions of privacy and trust influenced by digital media.

Here we highlight the best free Internet statistics information sources from around the world, mainly from Government sources.

UK digital technology adoption statistics

In the UK, the five primary sources for digital technology adoption and usage by consumers and businesses are:

• 1. Office of National Statistics The official government source - search for Internet

• 2. Telecoms sector report from Department of Business, Innovation and Skills

• 3. Ofcom research on telecommunications adoption Includes broadband, mobile penetration

• 4. Digital Britain initiative from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport Includes report with statistics on Attitudes towards internet content among adults
• 5. Oxford Internet Institute, OxIS. Describes itself as an authoritative source of information about Internet access, use and attitudes. So, similar to US equivalent Pew Internet. The most recent report is The Internet in Britain 2009.

European ICT adoption statistics

• Eurostat i2010 Benchmarking Choose main Tables and then ICT - this has broadband penetration by country throughout the EU - part of the European Information Society initiative i2010. The best option is to search for Ecommerce, Egovernment or Internet adoption statistics.

US adoption and privacy

• Pew Internet Project Good for comparisons between UK and US

Worldwide Internet adoption statistics

To compare a single country to worldwide - other countries, try the World Econsomic Forum or International Telecomms Union data - there is usually a lag - current data in 2009 is 2008.

• WEF Global Information Technology ReportSeventh pillar gives country web,mobile,PC penetrations for individuals and the eighth is for business.
• ITU Benchmarking Statistics Choose Internet indicators: subscribers, users and broadband subscribers.

The Report uses the Networked Readiness Index (NRI), covering a total of 133 economies in 2009-2010, to measure the degree of preparation of a nation or community to participate in and benefit from ICT developments

• See related statistics on global comparisons of social media adoption.