Children driving demand for faster broadband, claims report

Research has shown that many households invest in fast broadband connections as a result of pressure from the youngest members of the family.

The report, published by provider Hyperoptic, found that around 50 per cent of parents have decided to switch broadband providers in the last five years in an attempt to get faster speeds for their offspring to enjoy. This is hardly surprising, in light of the fact that the research also found that half of 5-18 year olds said they wanted faster and more reliable internet connections because they need it for activities such as online gaming, social media and streaming TV.

When it comes to choosing a broadband provider, a third of parents admit that their children do ‘influence’ their decision making. When it comes to online behaviours, younger people are more likely to expect faster connections and want to be able to watch TV on their tablets and laptops rather than on a TV set, as older consumers are more used to. As the general population ages, it will become more normal to replace TV sets with online viewing only and therefore, factors like streaming speeds will become more important than ever.

Hyperoptic’s Charles Davies, explained that fast connections speeds are likely to be at the forefront of many parents’ minds as the summer holidays set in. He stated: “Children and teenagers are driving a need for ultrafast broadband with 4k streaming and online gaming relying on fast services with rock solid reliability. With the school holidays underway, this need for speed is sure to increase.”