1. Significance of the Internet

For the vast majority of the population, the Internet is a fixed feature of their day-to-day lives. 75–81 % of men and 69 % of women use the Internet at home, at work or on other occasions, and for the younger generation, using the Internet is a given. 97 % of under-30s and 92 % of 30-44-year- olds use the Internet, and at 82 %, the figure is not much lower for 45-59-year-olds. At the moment, only the figure for the age group of 60 and over is significantly lower, but even here the proportion is still 44%. The extent to which a person uses the Internet is also largely dependent on their particular educational background. People with lower educational qualifications go online far less frequently than those with university entrance or higher education qualifications.

Internet as part of day-to-day life

Internet as part of day-to-day life

The Internet also plays a key role in the workplace. The vast majority of job holders also use the Internet at work; only 27 % use the Internet solely in their private lives. In total, however, private use remains predominant. One in three people have an equal balance of work-based and private Internet use.

Private and work-based Internet use

Private and work-based Internet use

Frequency and scope of Internet use

The vast majority of users access the Internet every day, with more than half doing so several times per day. Only one in ten people use the Internet just once a week or less. In the younger generation, not only is the user group wider, the intensity of use is also higher. 64 % of under-30s and 56 % of 30-to-44-years olds use the Internet several timers per day. This number is just 36 % among users aged 60 and over, but almost half of this age group use the Internet at least once a day.

High intensity of use

High intensity of use

The spectrum of use is even more age-related than the intensity. Not only do young Internet users use the Internet more frequently; they also make far wider use of it. 57 % of under-30s often or regularly use at least six of the 24 services and applications mentioned in the interview (see graphic on page 11/12). At just 36 %, this figure is significantly lower even in the age range of 30-44, and drops to just 19 % among users aged 60 and over. The spectrum of use here is also correspondingly narrow; whereas 39 % of the oldest user group specified the use of no more than two services regularly, this figure was just 14 % in the under-30s user group.

Significantly wider spectrum of use among the under-30s

Significantly wider spectrum of use among the under-30s

Focuses of Internet use

Communicating with other users and operating search engines to acquire information predominated in the structure of use. 69 % of Internet users regularly send and receive e-mails, and 58 % use search engines to conduct specific information searches. Trailing by a large margin, this is followed by the use of online banking and reference sites such as Wikipedia, also searches for product information or to compare prices.

The wider spectrum of use observed in the younger user group relates primarily to the fact that not only do they carry out an above-average number of online searches for information on schools, education and careers, they also place a much higher value on the specific communication options available to them. 29 % of all users, but 60 % of under-30s, are continually engaged in sharing information with others on social networking sites. Likewise, just 18 % of all users regularly use online chatrooms, whereas this figure rises to 41 % in the youngest user group. In the youngest user group, the Internet also plays an above-average role as an entertainment medium; just 15 % of all Internet users, but 32 % of under-30s, regularly use portals such as YouTube or MyVideo to watch videos or film clips online. Similarly, the under-30s make far more frequent use of the option of downloading music from the Internet, playing online computer games, listening to the radio over the Internet and watching films of television series on streaming portals. Nevertheless, 8 % of under-30s, but just 3 % of all users, regularly access platforms that allow them to share music and films with others.

Current Internet use structure

Current Internet use structure

Up to now, „share economy“ services have played an extremely minor role, although a large proportion of Internet users are aware of their existence; 55 % of Internet users have heard of Internet services for borrowing and lending items or for exchanging services, and 77% have heard about car-sharing services, in which users register online and can then use cars stationed in their home towns or nearby. Until now, though, only 4 % of users have acquired personal experience in lending/borrowing or exchange services, and this figure drops to just 1 % for Internet-based car-sharing services. Nevertheless, 29 % to 16 % consider these types of services to be interesting options, and in principle could envisage making use of them. Almost half of those who could see themselves using car-sharing services or who already had experience with them would consider these services an alternative to owning a car.

Potential for „share economy“ services

Potential for "share economy" services

Importance of fast Internet access

A large percentage of the population, and in particular Internet users, believe that the state has the duty to ensure nationwide accessibility to fast Internet connections in the form of broadband DSL. 40 % of the population, and 46 % of Internet users, are convinced that this is just as much a part of the basic public services required of the state as utilities and telephone connections. Those persons who use the Internet most regularly and for an above-average range of applications in particular consider it self-evident that the state must guarantee fast Internet access. 53 % of under-30s, but also 41 % of users aged 60 and over, feel that the state has the duty of providing everyone with fast Internet access.

Should fast Internet be part of the basic services the state must provide?

Should fast Internet be part of the basic services the state must provide?

In light of the above, the ideas of slowing down Internet speeds for intensive users after a certain period of time or of only enabling permanently fast Internet access at high charges are viewed extremely critically. 23 % of users would find these kinds of restrictions acceptable, while 65 % are explicitly opposed to them. The attitude of those who use the Internet several times per day or who use a comparatively large number of services is even more striking. Of these people, around three quarters reject any kind of time-based restriction of Internet access speed.

Clear rejection of speed restrictions

Clear rejection of speed restrictions