The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has finally published its Internet connectivity report to December 2005. Broadband now accounts for 64.2% (42.7% in Dec'04) of all Internet connections, while dialup has shrunk to just 35.8%.

The index of all connections showed that between December 2004 and December 2005 there was a 5.6% increase in the total number of active subscriptions to the Internet. Dialup saw the sharpest fall, starting 2005 with 55.8% and ending on 35.8%.

In December 2005, the percentage of active subscriptions using free or billed dial-up access was 23%, compared with 31% a year before. The percentage of those paying a fixed rate for unmetered dial-up access was 11% compared with 22% a year before. The percentage of active subscriptions using a mixed subscription type (fixed rate plus calls) was 2% compared to 4% a year before.

Consequently 2005 marks one of the strongest declines in dialup yet seen, suggesting continued migration onto faster broadband services.

Future reports will now be done quarterly rather than monthly.