A report released by Ofcom last week has revealed that consumers spent 16 per cent more online in 2012 than they did in 2011.

The figures showed that, on average, personal spending across the year was at £1,175 per person, an increase of £158 compared to the previous year. This figure is also more than two times the average level of spending in some of the other countries on the survey’s list.

According to the research, UK shoppers place more trust in internet retailers than those elsewhere in the world. This may be linked to the fact that Brits have more faith in their sites’ security measures as well.

The yearly International Communications Market Report – whichh was put together using data provided by IMRG, the UK’s web retail association – indicated that British consumers have better access to cheaper mobile devices and broadband connection deals than shoppers in the US and a number of European countries, such as Italy, France, Spain and Germany.

In the UK, the average household spends 2.3 per cent of its total income on communications contracts, whereas in the US, this figure is 2.5 per cent, and in Germany it’s 3.4 per cent.

Ofcom’s research director, James Thickett, said:

“Consumers in the UK are benefiting from one of the world’s most price competitive marketplaces for communication services.

“Telecoms bills have been falling in real terms in the UK for the past 10 years. However, consumers are not just benefiting from cheaper deals – they are also getting much more for less, as the quality and range of telecoms services has expanded hugely in that time.”

Respondents were also asked about their understanding of high-speed data connections, with the UK home to the largest proportion of consumers who were aware of 4G technology.

Graeme Parton

Graeme has experience creating content for online sources and for the radio, and at university he studied Multimedia Journalism.