Three quarters of households have broadband connection to the Internet
According to Statistics Estonia, in the 1st quarter of 2011, seven out of ten households in Estonia had Internet connection at home, most of them broadband connection. The percentage of households with Internet connection has slightly increased every year during the last five years.
71% of households in Estonia had Internet connection at home and 66% had broadband connection, their shares increased three and two percentage points, respectively, compared to the previous year. A household may use also multiple connections to the Internet. The mobile Internet connection has become more popular during recent years. This year every sixth household used only or in addition mobile connection to the Internet. Almost all households with children and two or more adults had Internet connection at home, but only a half of single adults.
The percentage of Internet users decreases with age. Almost all persons aged 16–34 used computers and the Internet, a half of persons aged 55–64 and a quarter of persons aged 65–74.
In 2011, also the use of e-services of public authorities and the satisfaction with them was surveyed. Less than 2% of Internet users were not aware of any e-services of public authorities. The most popular e-service of public authorities was declaration of taxes – used by two thirds of Internet users. The least used were applications of the certificate of birth or marriage and of the construction permit, also changing the residence address in the Population Register; hence half of Internet users are aware of the service. For clarification it must be mentioned that there is no need to apply for the certificate of birth or marriage every year, at the same time the declaration of taxes is submitted mostly every year. In general the persons are satisfied with e-services of public authorities. Eight out of ten Internet users aware of e-service were rather satisfied or very satisfied with e-services of public authorities.
During the recent years almost all enterprises with 10 and more persons employed used computers and the Internet. In January 2011, nine out of ten enterprises had broadband connection to the Internet. Four out of ten enterprises also used the mobile connection. Nine out of ten enterprises with Internet connection had received information and downloaded forms from web pages of public authorities.
Statistics Estonia conducts the survey of information technology usage among persons aged 16–74 and in households as an annex to the Labour Force Survey since 2005. The survey is carried out in the 2nd quarter; the reference period is the 1st quarter. In 2011, 4,300 persons participated in the survey. Household is a group of persons who live at the same address and share joint financial resources and whose members consider themselves to be members of one household, while family is based on relationship or kinship.
Statistics Estonia has surveyed the use of information technology in enterprises since 2001. In 2011, 3,100 enterprises participated in the survey. The survey involves enterprises with 10 and more persons employed.
The usage of information technology in households and by individuals aged 16–74 and in enterprises is studied by statistical organisations in all European Union Member States on the basis of harmonised methodology.