Microsoft: Broadband to remain a necessity during the recession

Despite the current recession, information technology giant Microsoft has claimed that consumers are unlikely to give up their broadband packages.

The firm was discussing the state of consumer technology at the Intellect Annual Regent Conference 2009 held at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, London, on February 10th.

Ashley Highfield, the firm's managing director and vice-president of consumer and online UK, said that "staying in is the new going out" for people during the recession.

This has meant an increase in the sales of flat screen televisions, video games, DVD recorders, Freeview boxes and net-books.

Mr Highfield explained that expensive television packages may be declining, but consumers are certainly not "spinning down from broadband".

"There has been no evidence so far, and I don't believe there will be, of anyone giving up broadband anymore than anyone's going to give up water or electricity," he added.

According to a recent report by telecoms regulator Ofcom, consumers are now spending more time using communications technology but paying less in the process.