The digital divide between small and large businesses is growing, according to new research by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
In a study into the adoption of information and communication technology (ICT), the ONS reveals that 39 per cent of firms with over 1,000 workers sold products over the internet in 2005, compared to 13 per cent of companies with between ten and 49 employees.
Overall, 15 per cent of businesses in Britain sold over the web in 2005, compared to just seven per cent three years ago.
Focus on the Digital Age shows that corporate internet use and e-commerce in the UK is continuing to proliferate and investment in ICT technology doubled between 1992 and 2004.
In some departments, smaller companies are making significant inroads into the digital gulf separating them and the country's largest firms, though a divide still remains. In 2002, 95 per cent of large companies had a dedicated website, compared to 54 per cent of small firms.
By 2005, 98 per cent of the largest companies had a dedicated online presence, compared to 66 per cent of the smallest businesses.
