Over half of Italians never use the Internet and very few can be described as truly up-to-date technologically, according to a new survey.
Although PCs are now common, 52% of the nation have never 'surfed' the Web and powerful video platforms such as DVD have relatively low penetration, the results of an AC Nielsen poll showed.
Less than 40% of Italians have access to a PC with DVD drive and only 26% have straightforward DVD readers.
Even in the area of mobile phones, about which Italians are notoriously enthusiastic, only 33% of the population have mobile phones with all the latest MP3, photo and video capabilities.
As for MP3 or Ipod music players and LCD flat-screen televisions, only 15% of Italians are completely up-to-date.
The number of people who use the latest technology to communicate and for entertainment is rising - now almost 9 million. But experts say the number of these people making use of all the creative possibilities offered by web technology effectively is still a minority.
According to Peter Kruger, a communications ministry consultant, the need to overcome the nation's 'digital divide' led the government to include this objective in RAI state television's latest public service contract.
"In the 1950s RAI's mission was to establish basic literacy. Now, in the same way, its mission is to spread digital culture and a spirit of innovation".
