Brussels, 10/12/2008 (Agence Europe) -According to data published by Eurostat on Tuesday 9 December, 93% of businesses in the EU employing 10 people or more had access to the internet in January 2008, a percentage which is unchanged from January 2007, and 81% had a broadband internet connection, compared to 77% in January 2007. In the EU, 64% of businesses on average had a website in January 2008, compared to 63% in January 2007. These data came from a Community survey on information and communication technologies (ICT) carried out in early 2008 on businesses in the member states, Iceland and Norway. Apart from the indicators presented, the survey also covered electronic commerce, online administration and e-business.
In January 2008, the highest percentages of businesses with internet access in the EU were to be seen in the Netherlands and Finland (99% each), Denmark (90%) and Belgium, Austria and Slovenia (97% each). Percentages were below 90% in just five member states: Romania (67%), Bulgaria (83%), Hungary (86%), Latvia (88%) and Cyprus (89%).
The proportion of businesses with a broadband connection in January 2008 was above 90% in Spain, France and Finland (92% each), and in Belgium (91%). Romania (44%), Lithuania (56%) and Poland (59%) were the only member states in which the proportion of businesses with a broadband connection is below 60%. These data show that although access to the internet seems to be close to capacity in almost all member states, the percentage of businesses with broadband access is continuing to rise.
The survey carried out by the statistical office of the EU also shows that the proportion of businesses with a website or a homepage in January 2008 varied considerably from member state to member state. The levels were highest in Denmark (87%), Sweden (86%), the Netherlands (85%) and Finland (82%). The only countries in which less than half of businesses had a website were Romania (27%), Bulgaria (33%), Latvia (42%), Portugal (46%) and Cyprus and Hungary (48% each). Of the businesses of the EU which had a website in January 2008, 57% offered catalogues of products or tariffs, 26% were able to receive online orders, 26% were able to post situations vacant or receive job applications online and 10% offered the opportunity to pay online. (O.L./transl.fl)