Lack of computer and high internet connection prices e main reason for low number of internet users in Armenia: study

YEREVAN, October 8. / ARKA /. Lack of computer and high Internet connection prices are the main reason for the low number of Internet users in Armenia, according to Gagik Sargsyan, head of Noy Firma research company, who spoke at INET Armenia conference to present the findings of a study the company  had conducted to find out Internet penetration rate.

According to him, 26.9 % of respondents said lack of computer was the main reason they did not have access to Internet and 24 percent said it was the high cost of the service. Some 12 percent said they did not want to have Internet access, 12 percent pointed out lack of time and 10 percent cited other reasons.

The survey showed that 44.6 % of respondents have at least one computer at home, and at 51.1 % even two.

He said the study revealed the growing use of tablets and smartphones, which are beginning to prevail over laptops and notebooks, as well as traditional mobile phones.

He also noted that most of Armenian residents prefer to connect to the Internet via fiber-optic cable network (20.5% ), although wireless networks are very popular too. Some 10 percent are connected through 3G wireless technology  and 17 percent via Wi-Fi.

"Many users are not aware of their connection speed  or the volume of used  Internet," said Sargsyan.

According to Internet Society nongovernmental organization’s figures, Internet penetration rate is 56.9% in Armenia. This indicator is higher in Yerevan – 60.5% and lower in provinces – 48%. 

Internet penetration rates in Kotayk and Ararat provinces are quite high – 58.6% and 53.1% respectively. ---0---