Nearly 50% of Portuguese households have computers

The figures are for the first quarter of 2008 and show that 49.8 percent of households have a computer at home and that 46 percent have Internet access, with the vast majority (85.5%) having broadband connections.

The report released today by INE (National Institute of Statistics) shows a positive evolution in all indicators compared to 2004 numbers, with a 5.9 percent rise in the rate of ownership of computers, 16.4 percent in Internet access. and 35.2 percent in the use of broadband.

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The Survey on the Use of Information and Communication Technologies by Families 2008 also shows that in a regional analysis Lisbon is ahead in all indicators, with 57.9 percent of households having access to computers, 54.1 percent have Internet connection and 50.2 percent connect to the network via broadband.

Among the technologies used for broadband access, ADSL and cable are the most mentioned, with 33.6 and 30.6 percent, respectively. It should be noted that 27.1% of households with an Internet connection refer to access to the broadband network via wireless.

Another interesting fact regarding the way of accessing the Internet also lies in the fact that 48.1 percent of respondents claim to access the Internet via mobile phone.

Computer ownership and use are very close, with 45.9 percent of individuals aged between 16 and 74 years old referring to the use of the equipment, while 41.9 percent admit accessing the Internet, which reveals average annual growth rates of 5.5 and 9.5 percent, respectively, compared to 2004.

According to the INE study, men have higher levels of ICT use, with about half of men using the computer and 46.5 percent accessing the Internet. The use by women is, on average, about eight percentage points below that of men, with 41.9 percent of women using the computer and 37.6 percent using the Internet.

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The study also addresses the area of ​​electronic commerce, with 6.4 percent of individuals between 16 and 74 years old admitting to placing orders via the Internet, which corresponds to 15.2 percent of individuals who use the Internet. compared to 2004 figures, the average annual growth recorded is 22%.

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The most ordered products underwent a major change, with travel and accommodation now standing out (39.4%); books, magazines, newspapers and e-learning material (33.7%; sports clothing and equipment (25.5%) and electronic equipment (23.2%). Tickets for shows or events (21%) and computer software (20.5%) come next.

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Among the forms of payment used for purchases online the credit card is the most prominent, being used by 51.5 percent of individuals who placed orders over the Internet in the first quarter of 2008. ATM payment is second, with 30.9%, followed by the homebanking, used by 17.3 percent of individuals who shop online.