Consumers in the UK are increasingly making communications services such as broadband an essential part of their everyday lives, research has revealed.

A new study by Ofcom revealed that people spend 45 per cent of their waking hours watching TV, using mobile phones and also surfing the web via broadband services of all types.

It also revealed that people now spend a quarter of their time on the internet on social network sites, while 50 per cent of over-55s now have web access at home and consider checking emails as their most important media activity.

Peter Phillips, Ofcom's partner for strategy and market developments, said: "Consumers are using communications services more – phone calls, texting and the internet.

"Yet they are paying less despite getting more, partly through buying in bundles."

Ofcom recently confirmed it has proposed plans which would see KC bundle broadband, landline and other services, potentially leading to improved costs for consumers.