Study: Romanians spend over 5 hours online a day, mainly checking emails and reading news

Romanian Internet users spend online an average of 5 hours and a half per day, the most popular activities being emailing, reading news and searching for product information, according to the “Fixed broadband in Romania. Users, trends and economic impact” study conducted by UPC, with the support of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. A total of 96 percent of Romanians use the email and 87 percent use social networks. Also, 95 percent of Romanian users read news online, and over 90 percent search for product information, reports local Mediafax. Over half of Romanian Internet users have a Facebook account, above the European average. Almost 80 percent of Internet users are going online for music, 65 percent for video streaming, 62 percent for games, 49 percent for TV streaming, 45 percent to download movies, 31 percent to download games, while 31 percent use the Internet to download books. Some 62 percent of Romanian users go online to search a job, half of them do internet banking, while almost 30 percent do online shopping (at least once a month). Almost 20 percent pay taxes online, while 16 percent receive medical results online. For online shopping, Romanians spend on average RON 300 (some EUR 88) per month, mainly on Romanian websites. Almost 15 percent order online without paying, while nine percent order and pay online. The most popular products purchased online are electronics, clothing and footwear products, and clothing accessories. For internet access, 70 percent use a desktop computer, 60 percent use a laptop, 32 percent choose a smartphone, 14 percent use a tablet, and 12 percent go online using the TV. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com