CAPUNI is a national survey carried out by the GIS Marsouin which aims to measure what digital technology brings (or does not bring) to individuals in terms of power to act.
It is particularly interested in the uses of digital technology within isolated rural areas (ZRI) and in priority city districts (QPV). It is a telephone survey conducted in March 2019 among 7500 people over 18 years old (a national sample and four oversamples).
FOCUS: 90% of French people over 18 years old living in metropolitan France are Internet users.
As far as equipment is concerned, the computer remains the most widely owned Internet access tool in France (84%), followed by the smartphone (81%), which is owned by almost all 18-29 year olds. Note that 19% of French people do not own a smartphone and that 17.5% of them have chosen to "voluntarily limit their digital assets".In terms of perception of the Internet connection, the geographical criterion is important: three quarters of French Internet users in large urban areas (+ 200,000 inhabitants) consider that their Internet connection is satisfactory, compared to less than 60% of French Internet users living in communes isolated from any urban area.In terms of perception again, French Internet users in urban areas of 100,000 to 200,000 inhabitants deviate from the national average: they are more likely to consider that their Internet connection works "moderately" (+14 points) or "poorly" (+13 points).
In 2019, the proportion of Internet users in metropolitan France has crossed the threshold of 9 out of 10 individuals, it amounts to 90% which represents 7 points more than in 2016 (Capacity survey, Marsouin-FING, 2016).
The effect of age on Internet use fades as time goes on. Only people over 75 years of age remain less inclined to use the Internet (53% of people over 75 are Internet users), while the other, younger age groups are all Internet users for 9 out of 10 individuals. In addition, there is an effect of the size of the household on whether or not they are Internet users: 96% of individuals in households of at least 3 people are Internet users.
Référence :
Home connection and equipment of the French
89% of respondents have their own Internet connection at home (via a box, ADSL or fiber). A small part of the individuals living in a connected home do not use this connection (3% of the people interviewed).
The computer (desktop or laptop) remains the most widely owned Internet access equipment: 84% of French people have a computer at home. However, only 78% really use this tool at home. People living in rural communities are those who, in proportion, have the most computers at home that they use. They are 83% in this case, which is 5 points more than on the national scale. To put this in perspective, 77% of residents of large urban areas have such equipment at home that they use.
50% of French people over 18 years old have a digital tablet at home. However, only 42% actually use it. This equipment is more present among people in the age groups between 30 and 60 years.
French people on the move
Graph - Simple cell phone or smartphone? The motivations of the French.
The smartphone, a mobile connection tool
The smartphone is owned by 81% of the French metropolitan population over 18 years old and 79% are Internet users on their smartphone, either thanks to a specific 3G/4G subscription (the case of 75% of respondents) or just by connecting to a Wi-Fi network (4%). Thus, 2% of people who own a smartphone do not use it to connect to the Internet. 1 out of 10 French people have a smartphone and do not use a computer, so half of the people who do not have a computer at home have a smartphone with an Internet connection.
More details: 76% of respondents in rural communities have a smartphone (71% with a 3G/4G subscription), which is a rate similar to urban areas of more than 200,000 inhabitants (except for Paris, where the rate is higher), as 72% of people living in such an urban area have a smartphone with a subscription.
On the other hand, 96% of 18-29 year olds have a smartphone with a subscription: the youngest remain the most connected on the move.
Who owns a simple cell phone?
A significant part of the French population has a simple phone (without the possibility of connection): 14%. An age effect is noticeable: the oldest age groups, possibly less accustomed to digital tools than the youngest, have more simple cell phones (22% of 60 to 74 year olds and especially 43% of those over 75).
In addition, two distinct categories of urban areas emerge from the study concerning the simple possession of a classic mobile: individuals in rural communes isolated from any urban area (19% of classic mobile owners) and those living in an urban area of more than 200,000 inhabitants excluding the Ile-de-France in general (17% of classic mobile owners). The city of Paris alone is in the national average.
Why stay disconnected?
None
There are several reasons why these individuals choose not to own a smartphone and prefer, in general, a standard phone. The reasons most often expressed, and this in an equitable manner throughout the metropolitan territory, are the lack of mastery of the tools (for 23.5% of owners of a standard mobile) and the lack of need or interest in such a tool (for 40% of owners of a standard mobile). The unsatisfactory speed is cited in greater proportion in the communes of the smallest urban areas (11% vs. 1% nationally).
Another reason seems to emerge: 18% of non-smartphone owners mention " voluntary limitation of digital or electronic goods ". Half of them live in an urban area with more than 200,000 inhabitants (excluding Paris). Thus, even within this category of urban area, a third of those who own a simple cell phone justify their choice by the desire to limit their consumption of digital goods. This is more the case for people in middle management or retired people, and for people who describe their standard of living as comfortable or very comfortable. However, this observation is not observed in the Paris urban area.
Internet speed: perceptions differ by urban area
To measure the quality of the Internet connection as perceived by the French, we have defined three main types of use, or activities, which allow us to establish different levels of speed quality:
uses with "minimal" speed, which do not require high speed, and which can possibly support a temporary loss of connection: consultation of electronic mail, access to Web sites (including administrative procedures, or online purchases);
Uses that require a "high and stable" downstream flow (watching television, downloading a film in streaming for example);
uses that also require "quality upstream" throughput (e.g., video chatting or network gaming).
Within each of the three types of use considered (i.e. the three speeds), we find as many Internet users satisfied with their connection as dissatisfied. Thus, the majority of Internet users are satisfied with their connection for all uses (about 7 out of 10), 20% say that their connection works "moderately" to perform their tasks on the Internet and finally one out of ten, on average, expresses dissatisfaction regarding these same online activities. Surprisingly, the degree of dissatisfaction does not increase significantly as the speed required to perform certain tasks increases (quality upstream uses).
However, these perceptions need to be studied more precisely with regard to other criteria. In terms of perception, the geographical criterion related to the size of the urban area where Internet users live is relevant. Thus, the results of the survey make it possible to identify three profiles: individuals in urban areas with a perception of the quality of the flow in line with the national average perception, those living in urban areas being on average more satisfied than the average French Internet user, and finally urban areas where the proportion of the feeling of dissatisfaction is globally more pronounced.
Urban areas where we are in the national average
Individuals living in an urban area of 2,000 to 20,000 inhabitants express a feeling about the quality of their broadband that coincides with the average feeling of French Internet users, regardless of usage.
Urban areas with higher than average satisfaction
Unsurprisingly, French Internet users in very large urban areas (over 200,000 inhabitants) consider their Internet connection to be satisfactory more than the average. This is more significant when it comes to minimum or medium speed usage.
Perhaps more surprisingly, individuals in urban areas with 20,000 to 100,000 inhabitants are also among the French Internet users most satisfied with their connection. They are even the most satisfied of all French people, with the highest proportion of positive perceptions (+10 points).
Urban areas with lower than average satisfaction
The perception of the quality of the connection deteriorates in the communes isolated from any urban area. Whatever the activity concerned and whatever the speed required for that activity, these Internet users consider that their connection is satisfactory for less than 60% of them, which is more than ten points less than the overall French Internet users. On the other side of the spectrum, 12% of them consider that their connection works poorly when they have to carry out activities that require low bandwidth (compared to 7% of all French Internet users) and this proportion rises to more than 20% when the activity requires a higher bandwidth connection (both types of use with higher bandwidth), while it remains at around 10% for all French people.
Note the notable exception of French Internet users living in urban areas with between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants (whose central city is of average size). 18% of them consider that the Internet connection at home works "badly" when they have to carry out procedures that require a low speed connection, which is 11 points less than all French people who have the same feeling. 34% of these same French Internet users consider that their connection works "moderately" when the activity requires a larger connection (streaming, for example), i.e. 14 points less than all French people who have the same feeling. The perceptions of the same uses for the inhabitants of rural communities are better.
Digital access for the French and territorial coverage
CAPUNI is a national survey carried out by the GIS Marsouin which aims to measure what digital technology brings (or does not bring) to individuals in terms of power to act.
It is particularly interested in the uses of digital technology within isolated rural areas (ZRI) and in priority city districts (QPV). It is a telephone survey conducted in March 2019 among 7500 people over 18 years old (a national sample and four oversamples).
FOCUS: 90% of French people over 18 years old living in metropolitan France are Internet users.
As far as equipment is concerned, the computer remains the most widely owned Internet access tool in France (84%), followed by the smartphone (81%), which is owned by almost all 18-29 year olds. Note that 19% of French people do not own a smartphone and that 17.5% of them have chosen to "voluntarily limit their digital assets".In terms of perception of the Internet connection, the geographical criterion is important: three quarters of French Internet users in large urban areas (+ 200,000 inhabitants) consider that their Internet connection is satisfactory, compared to less than 60% of French Internet users living in communes isolated from any urban area.In terms of perception again, French Internet users in urban areas of 100,000 to 200,000 inhabitants deviate from the national average: they are more likely to consider that their Internet connection works "moderately" (+14 points) or "poorly" (+13 points).
In 2019, the proportion of Internet users in metropolitan France has crossed the threshold of 9 out of 10 individuals, it amounts to 90% which represents 7 points more than in 2016 (Capacity survey, Marsouin-FING, 2016).
The effect of age on Internet use fades as time goes on. Only people over 75 years of age remain less inclined to use the Internet (53% of people over 75 are Internet users), while the other, younger age groups are all Internet users for 9 out of 10 individuals. In addition, there is an effect of the size of the household on whether or not they are Internet users: 96% of individuals in households of at least 3 people are Internet users.
Référence :
Home connection and equipment of the French
89% of respondents have their own Internet connection at home (via a box, ADSL or fiber). A small part of the individuals living in a connected home do not use this connection (3% of the people interviewed).
The computer (desktop or laptop) remains the most widely owned Internet access equipment: 84% of French people have a computer at home. However, only 78% really use this tool at home. People living in rural communities are those who, in proportion, have the most computers at home that they use. They are 83% in this case, which is 5 points more than on the national scale. To put this in perspective, 77% of residents of large urban areas have such equipment at home that they use.
50% of French people over 18 years old have a digital tablet at home. However, only 42% actually use it. This equipment is more present among people in the age groups between 30 and 60 years.
French people on the move
Graph - Simple cell phone or smartphone? The motivations of the French.
The smartphone, a mobile connection tool
The smartphone is owned by 81% of the French metropolitan population over 18 years old and 79% are Internet users on their smartphone, either thanks to a specific 3G/4G subscription (the case of 75% of respondents) or just by connecting to a Wi-Fi network (4%). Thus, 2% of people who own a smartphone do not use it to connect to the Internet. 1 out of 10 French people have a smartphone and do not use a computer, so half of the people who do not have a computer at home have a smartphone with an Internet connection.
More details: 76% of respondents in rural communities have a smartphone (71% with a 3G/4G subscription), which is a rate similar to urban areas of more than 200,000 inhabitants (except for Paris, where the rate is higher), as 72% of people living in such an urban area have a smartphone with a subscription.
On the other hand, 96% of 18-29 year olds have a smartphone with a subscription: the youngest remain the most connected on the move.
Who owns a simple cell phone?
A significant part of the French population has a simple phone (without the possibility of connection): 14%. An age effect is noticeable: the oldest age groups, possibly less accustomed to digital tools than the youngest, have more simple cell phones (22% of 60 to 74 year olds and especially 43% of those over 75).
In addition, two distinct categories of urban areas emerge from the study concerning the simple possession of a classic mobile: individuals in rural communes isolated from any urban area (19% of classic mobile owners) and those living in an urban area of more than 200,000 inhabitants excluding the Ile-de-France in general (17% of classic mobile owners). The city of Paris alone is in the national average.
Why stay disconnected?
None
There are several reasons why these individuals choose not to own a smartphone and prefer, in general, a standard phone. The reasons most often expressed, and this in an equitable manner throughout the metropolitan territory, are the lack of mastery of the tools (for 23.5% of owners of a standard mobile) and the lack of need or interest in such a tool (for 40% of owners of a standard mobile). The unsatisfactory speed is cited in greater proportion in the communes of the smallest urban areas (11% vs. 1% nationally).
Another reason seems to emerge: 18% of non-smartphone owners mention " voluntary limitation of digital or electronic goods ". Half of them live in an urban area with more than 200,000 inhabitants (excluding Paris). Thus, even within this category of urban area, a third of those who own a simple cell phone justify their choice by the desire to limit their consumption of digital goods. This is more the case for people in middle management or retired people, and for people who describe their standard of living as comfortable or very comfortable. However, this observation is not observed in the Paris urban area.
Internet speed: perceptions differ by urban area
To measure the quality of the Internet connection as perceived by the French, we have defined three main types of use, or activities, which allow us to establish different levels of speed quality:
uses with "minimal" speed, which do not require high speed, and which can possibly support a temporary loss of connection: consultation of electronic mail, access to Web sites (including administrative procedures, or online purchases);
Uses that require a "high and stable" downstream flow (watching television, downloading a film in streaming for example);
uses that also require "quality upstream" throughput (e.g., video chatting or network gaming).
Within each of the three types of use considered (i.e. the three speeds), we find as many Internet users satisfied with their connection as dissatisfied. Thus, the majority of Internet users are satisfied with their connection for all uses (about 7 out of 10), 20% say that their connection works "moderately" to perform their tasks on the Internet and finally one out of ten, on average, expresses dissatisfaction regarding these same online activities. Surprisingly, the degree of dissatisfaction does not increase significantly as the speed required to perform certain tasks increases (quality upstream uses).
However, these perceptions need to be studied more precisely with regard to other criteria. In terms of perception, the geographical criterion related to the size of the urban area where Internet users live is relevant. Thus, the results of the survey make it possible to identify three profiles: individuals in urban areas with a perception of the quality of the flow in line with the national average perception, those living in urban areas being on average more satisfied than the average French Internet user, and finally urban areas where the proportion of the feeling of dissatisfaction is globally more pronounced.
Urban areas where we are in the national average
Individuals living in an urban area of 2,000 to 20,000 inhabitants express a feeling about the quality of their broadband that coincides with the average feeling of French Internet users, regardless of usage.
Urban areas with higher than average satisfaction
Unsurprisingly, French Internet users in very large urban areas (over 200,000 inhabitants) consider their Internet connection to be satisfactory more than the average. This is more significant when it comes to minimum or medium speed usage.
Perhaps more surprisingly, individuals in urban areas with 20,000 to 100,000 inhabitants are also among the French Internet users most satisfied with their connection. They are even the most satisfied of all French people, with the highest proportion of positive perceptions (+10 points).
Urban areas with lower than average satisfaction
The perception of the quality of the connection deteriorates in the communes isolated from any urban area. Whatever the activity concerned and whatever the speed required for that activity, these Internet users consider that their connection is satisfactory for less than 60% of them, which is more than ten points less than the overall French Internet users. On the other side of the spectrum, 12% of them consider that their connection works poorly when they have to carry out activities that require low bandwidth (compared to 7% of all French Internet users) and this proportion rises to more than 20% when the activity requires a higher bandwidth connection (both types of use with higher bandwidth), while it remains at around 10% for all French people.
Note the notable exception of French Internet users living in urban areas with between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants (whose central city is of average size). 18% of them consider that the Internet connection at home works "badly" when they have to carry out procedures that require a low speed connection, which is 11 points less than all French people who have the same feeling. 34% of these same French Internet users consider that their connection works "moderately" when the activity requires a larger connection (streaming, for example), i.e. 14 points less than all French people who have the same feeling. The perceptions of the same uses for the inhabitants of rural communities are better.
