Report: Technology In Bermuda

93% of Bermuda households own a computer, 94% of households own a cell phone, and 41% of residents communicate via text messaging daily according to a new report on technology in Bermuda.

Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors released the results of the fourth annual benchmarking survey, undertaken by the Department of E-Commerce, to assess the prevalence of Information Communications Technology [ICT] in Bermuda.

The survey was commissioned by the Department of E-Commerce and conducted by a local independent firm, Mindmaps. This initiative was designed to establish a benchmark against which to compare ICT progress, spot shortcomings and identify new trends.

The 2010 survey sampled 410 Bermuda households with respondent residents 18-years and older, as well as 200 business professionals aged 18 years and older, to gauge usage within both the residential and corporate sectors. Additional research surveyed 100 students in Bermuda aged 12-17.

Key findings of the 2010 survey include:

• The vast majority of Bermuda households own a computer (93% – any, 62% desktop, 78% laptop).
• 52% of residents own a wi-fi or internet ready device such as Apple devices (iPod, iPad), and gaming devices such as Nintendo devices (DS, DS and Wii) and Playstation (PS2, PS3).
• The vast majority of households access the internet (89%); while 92% of residents use the internet via their home, work, cellphone or smartphone device or at an internet café.
• Most households with internet access have a high speed connection (89%).
• Residents spent approximately 10.9 hours per week using a computer at home. 72% of residents use the internet over half the time they are using their computers at home.
• The most regularly used computer activities include emailing, using Government websites, using an internet search engine, using the internet to look for travel information, using word processing software, researching a product or service on the internet before buying it, searching the internet for information on a hobby or interest, using the internet to get news and online banking and bill paying.

Cell Phones and Mobile Devices:

• More than 9 in 10 (94%) of households own a cell phone. Residents owned a larger proportion of smartphone devices (76% vs. 55% in 2009).
• 23% of residents are likely to purchase a smartphone device in the next 6 months.
• The most frequently used cellphone and smartphone device activities include text messaging, emailing, taking pictures, accessing the internet, Blackberry Messenger, downloading ringtones, playing games, social networking and Peer-to-Peer messaging.
• Overall 41% of residents communicate via text messaging daily. Multiple daily usage is higher than average among younger residents (18-24 years – 70%; 25-34 years – 54%).

Attitudes and Technology Competence:

• Consistent with the last benchmarking series (2007-2009), residents believed that in order to compete in a global economy, Bermuda must continue to meet or exceed global technology standards.
• 92% believe that having a strong knowledge of technology is essential to getting ahead today.
• 69% of Bermuda residents have a moderate to high level of ICT competence.

Corporate Usage:

• The vast majority of businesses (87%) have a company website. 54% of businesses use .bm.
• Almost a third (32%) offered an online payment facility
• The vast majority of companies continue to report that they use technology for business to business (92%), business to consumer (79%), internal systems (78%), as well as business to government (77%) purposes.

Social Networking and Websites:

• 87% of residents reported using social networking websites to communicate with friends, family members or relatives.
• 97% of students reported using social networking websites to communicate with friends, family members and relatives.
• 31% of companies use social networking to communicate with clients and other businesses.

Student Usage:

• Computer activities that were school-related included word processing (95%), using an internet search engine (88%) presentation software (86%) and spreadsheet software (74%).
• Social activities included watching videos online (92%) and instant messaging (88%).
• Almost a quarter reported that they play games, watch videos online, download music and use VOIP daily.

A statement released by Government said, “The annual benchmarking exercise is an important tool used by the Department of E-Commerce in the development of legislative, policy and program initiatives such as Apptitude – the mobile application development competition, TechWeek, promoting innovation and the supporting development of Bermuda’s digital economy, encouraging technology skills and careers in ICT.”

“The 2010 study contains much information that will be useful for business, the retail sector, the ICT industry, educational institutions and other organisations.”

The full 39-page report is below, click ‘Fullscreen’ for greater clarity:

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