Eurobarometer: Europeans’ use and views of electronic communications in the EU

The Commission published the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on e-communications in the EU. The survey, conducted from November to December 2020 and from February to March 2021, shows Europeans’ use of and satisfaction with electronic communication services, including with internet, fixed and mobile telephone access, service bundles, roaming, emergency and international communication within the EU and more. The survey indicates that nearly all Europeans have mobile phones (96% of respondents), while 53% have fixed phone lines. When it comes to internet connections, 81% of citizens are satisfied with the quality of download speeds and 82% with the quality of upload speeds. Those numbers are lower in rural villages, where 77% of respondents are satisfied with the quality of their connections. A third (33%) of respondents have experienced lower mobile internet speed while roaming in another EU country compared to in their home country. This edition of the Eurobarometer also asked citizens about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on their internet subscriptions and found that 7% of Europeans made changes to their internet subscription, while 3% switched their internet provider. On emergency communications, 74% of Europeans say that in their own country they would call the 112 number and 41% would dial 112 when in another country. The Eurobarometer is set against the backdrop of the European Electronic Communications Code, which updated the EU electronic communications regulatory framework in 2018 to expand consumers’ rights and operators’ incentives for investments in advanced networks. More information about the results and the Eurobarometer report are available online.