In the last five years (2007-2011) an increase was recorded in PC use, by 35.1%, and Internet access, by 54.8%. The average annual growth rate for the same period is 7.9% for computer use and 11.6% for Internet access.

Longitudinally, growth rates were decreasing until 2010, while in 2011 an opposite trend is recorded

Demographic factors, namely gender, age and education influence internet users. Results showed that males engage more in internet activities (52.4%) than females (47.6%). When looking at age groups, age group 25-34 years old is the largest comprising 29.8% of total internet users, while age group 45-54 comprises 15.7% and age group 55-74 7.1%. Regarding formal education, users of medium educational level (upper secondary education, vocational training institutes) are the most numerous with 45.6% while users of low educational level (no formal education completed, primary or lower secondary education) are less with 12.5%.

Concerning the educational level, only 2 out of 10 individuals of low educational level accessed the internet in the A’ quarter of 2011, while the respective ratios for individuals with medium and high educational level are 6 out of 10 and 8 out of 10, respectively.

The indicator of internet regular users was included in the set of key performance targets of the Digital Agenda for Europe. In the first quarter of 2011, 72.0% of the respondents who used the internet did so on a daily basis, which is slightly higher than the percentage for 2010, while 91.8% made regular use -at least once a week- but not every day.

Main place of internet access remains the home with 87.7%. Increase by 10.4%, compared to 2010, has been recorded in access from other places, with internet cafes still in the first place with 61.9%, therefore recording a large decrease (by 21%, approximately).

According to the survey results, internet access, away from home or work, via mobile devices –mobile or smart phone, laptop, notebook, netbook or tablet computer/i-pad or other mobile device like palmtop, PDA, etc.– continued to increase (increasing by 74.8%), while at the same time, the percentage of users accessing the internet via non-mobile devices continued to decline (decreasing by approximately 13% in comparison with 2010).

46.4% of the users, who access the internet away from home or work via mobile or smart phone, use public Wifi and WiMax networks for wireless internet access. The corresponding percentage for individuals accessing the internet away from home or work from portable computer reaches 62.3%.

Compared with 2010, a significant increase is observed in the percentages of individuals making ubiquitous internet access, away from home or work: Via mobile phone (increase by 48,6%), either mobile phone GPRS, 3G, 3G+ or smart phone and via portable computer (increase by 157,9%) including laptops, notebooks, netbooks or tablet computers /i-pad.

The decision – to be put to a vote at the July plenary session – allows pilot testing of this innovative plan to attract private investment in transport, energy and information technology network projects.

EUR 200 million will be set aside to guarantee investments in transport networks, EUR 20 million for ICT networks and EUR 10 million for energy connection. The scheme will be managed by the European Investment Bank (EIB).

Guarantees backing project bond issuing companies should make the bonds that they issue safer and more attractive to capital market investors such as pension and investment funds.

With an expected multiplier ratio of between 15 and 20, these guarantees could mobilise up to EUR 4.6 billion in private investment. Investment needs for transport, energy and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) infrastructure projects in Europe are estimated at EUR 1.5 trillion for 2010-2020.

Modern and efficient infrastructure is considered vital to achieving the “Europe 2020″ growth targets. “Whilst the private sector should finance the bulk of these – mostly profitable – investments, the public sector’s role in Europe will be crucial for achieving the EU2020 targets, said the MEP steering the legislation through Parliament, Göran Färm (S&D, SV).

Project bonds will be introduced in 2012 and 2013 to pave the way for possible wider use under the “Connecting Europe Facility” at the start of the EU’s new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2014-2020. The idea is to test how the financial markets perceive them and to use the practical experience of the coming 18 months to fine-tune the initiative.

“Europe’s economic crisis stems not only from the financial one, but also from declining investment. Given severe national budget restrictions and bank capital requirements, we must find new ways to boost investment for growth. Project bonds should make investing in important infrastructure projects more attractive to capital market investors, without excessive risks for taxpayers. This new scheme could play a key role in the growth strategy now being called for by many EU member states”, added Mr Färm.

The allocation decision is to be put to a vote by Parliament as a whole at in its plenary session in July.