83% of Dutch households connected to the Internet

Figures just released by the European statistical bureau Eurostat show that the Netherlands has the highest proportion of households connected to the Internet - 83% - in the EU.

The average for the whole EU was 54% in the first quarter of 2007. The lowest-ranked EU country is Bulgaria, where just 19% of homes are connected.

The Netherlands is also leading the way for fast broadband connections. 74% of the Internet connections in the Netherlands are broadband, compared to an EU average of 42%.

As a result, the Dutch also use the Internet for phone calls and chat sessions more than other Europeans.

Source: Media Network, ANP

Eurostat