(b)

The following characteristics are to be collected: Access to and use of ICT by individuals and/or in households Characteristics to be collected for all households: — access at home to a computer, — access at home to the Internet, regardless of whether it is used (by any device), — type of connection used to access the Internet at home: modem (dial-up access over normal telephone line) or ISDN, — type of connection used to access the Internet at home: DSL (e.g. ADSL, SHDSL, VDSL), — type of other broadband connection used to access the Internet at home: fixed wired (e.g. cable, optical fibre, Ethernet, PLC), — type of other broadband connection used to access the Internet at home: fixed wireless (e.g. satellite, public WiFi, WiMax), — type of other broadband connection used to access the Internet at home: mobile (at least 3G, e.g. UMTS), — (optional) type of other broadband connection used to access the Internet at home: mobile via at least 3G handset (e.g. UMTS, mobile WiMax), — (optional) type of other broadband connection used to access the Internet at home: mobile via at least 3G modem (USB key, laptop card), — type of connection used to access the Internet at home: mobile narrowband (e.g. 2G+/GPRS, used by mobile phone or modem in laptop). Characteristics to be collected for all individuals: — most recent computer use at home, at work or any other place (within the last three months; between three months and a year ago; more than one year ago; never used a computer). Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used a computer in the last three months: — average frequency of computer use (every day or almost every day; at least once a week (but not every day); at least once a month (but not every week); less than once a month), — (optional) location of computer use in the last three months: at home, — (optional) location of computer use in the last three months: at place of work (other than home), — (optional) location of computer use in the last three months: at place of education, — (optional) location of computer use in the last three months: at another person’s home, — (optional) location of computer use in the last three months: at other places (e.g. public library, hotel, airport, Internet café). Use of the Internet for different purposes by individuals and/or in households Characteristics to be collected for all individuals: — most recent Internet use (within the last three months; between three months and a year ago; more than one year ago; never used the Internet). Characteristics to be collected for individuals having already used the Internet: — most recent Internet commerce activity for private use (within the last three months; between three months and a year ago; more than one year ago; never bought or ordered). Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used the Internet in the last three months: — average frequency of Internet use in the last three months (every day or almost every day; at least once a week (but not every day); at least once a month (but not every week); less than once a month), — location of Internet use in the last three months: at home, — location of Internet use in the last three months: at place of work (other than home), — location of Internet use in the last three months: at place of education, — location of Internet use in the last three months: at another person’s home, — location of Internet use in the last three months: at other places, — (optional) location of Internet use in the last three months: public library, — (optional) location of Internet use in the last three months: post office, — (optional) location of Internet use in the last three months: public office, town hall or government agency, — (optional) location of Internet use in the last three months: community or voluntary organisation, — (optional) location of Internet use in the last three months: Internet café, — (optional) location of Internet use in the last three months: hotspot (at hotels, airports, public places, etc.), — (optional) location of Internet use in the last three months: other, — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for participating in social networks (creating user profile, posting messages or other contribution to e.g. facebook, twitter), — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for reading or downloading online news, newspapers or news magazines, — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for seeking health-related information, — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for looking for information about education, training or course offers, — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for finding information about goods and services, — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for downloading software (other than games software), — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for reading and posting opinions on civic or political issues via websites (e.g. blogs, social networks), — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for taking part in on-line consultations or voting to define civic or political issues (e.g. urban planning, signing a petition), — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for doing an online course (in any subject), — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for consulting wikis (to obtain knowledge on any subject (e.g. Wikipedia, an online encyclopaedia), — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for looking for a job or sending a job application, — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for participating in professional networks (creating user profile, posting messages or other contributions to e.g. LinkedIn, Xing), — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for using services related to travel or travel related accommodation, — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for selling goods or services, e.g. via auctions (e.g. eBay), — (optional) Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for telephoning over the Internet, video calls (via webcam) over the Internet, — (optional) Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for Internet banking. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used the Internet in the last three months for private purposes for reading or downloading online news, newspapers or news magazines: — Internet usage in the last three months for private purposes for reading or downloading online news, newspapers or news magazines that have been subscribed to in order to receive them regularly (including RSS). Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used the Internet in the last twelve months: — Internet usage in the last twelve months for placing a bet (e.g. sports betting), gambling or playing lotto. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used the Internet for Internet commerce activities for private use in the last twelve months: — Internet usage for ordering food or groceries in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering household goods in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering medicine in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering films or music in the last twelve months (to be reported separately: whether delivered on-line), — Internet usage for ordering books, magazines or newspapers (including e-books) in the last twelve months (to be reported separately with e-learning material: whether delivered on-line), — Internet usage for ordering e-learning material in the last twelve months (to be reported separately with books, magazines or newspapers: whether delivered on-line), — Internet usage for ordering clothes or sports goods in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering video games software and upgrades in the last twelve months (to be reported separately with other computer software and upgrades: whether delivered on-line), — Internet usage for ordering other computer software and upgrades in the last twelve months (to be reported separately with video games software and upgrades: whether delivered on-line), — Internet usage for ordering computer hardware in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering electronic equipment (incl. cameras) in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering telecommunication services (e.g. TV, broadband subscriptions, fixed line or mobile phone subscriptions, uploading money for prepaid phone cards), — Internet usage for purchasing shares, insurance policies and other financial services in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering holiday accommodation (hotels, etc.) in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering other travel arrangements (transport tickets, car hire, etc.), — Internet usage for ordering tickets for events in the last twelve months, — Internet usage for ordering other goods or services in the last twelve months, — goods or services bought or ordered in the last twelve months from national sellers, — goods or services bought or ordered in the last twelve months from sellers from other EU countries, — goods or services bought or ordered in the last twelve months from sellers from the rest of the world, — goods or services bought or ordered in the last twelve months: country of origin of sellers is not known. ICT competence and skills Characteristics to be collected for individuals having ever used a computer: — most recent training course of at least three hours on any aspect of computer use (within the last three years; more than three years ago; never taken one), — computer skills for copying or moving a file or folder, — computer skills for using copy and paste tools to duplicate or move information within a document, — computer skills for using basic arithmetic formulas in a spreadsheet, — computer skills for compressing (or zipping) files, — computer skills for connecting and installing new devices, e.g. a modem, — writing a computer program using a specialised programming language, — computer skills for transferring files between computer and other devices (from digital camera or from/to mobile phone, mp3/mp4 player), — (optional) computer skills for modifying or verifying the configuration parameters of software applications (except Internet browsers), — computer skills for creating electronic presentations with presentation software (e.g. slides) including e.g. images, sound, video or charts, — computer skills for installing a new or replacing an old operating system. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having ever used a computer but not having taken a course (of at least three hours) on any aspect of computer use in the last three years: — reason for not having taken a course on computer use: no need to take one because sufficient computer skills, — reason for not having taken a course on computer use: no need to take one because the individual rarely uses computers, — reason for not having taken a course on computer use: engagement in self-study or assistance from others. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having ever used a computer but not having taken a course (of at least three hours) on any aspect of computer use in the last three years and who have not mentioned as reason their computer skills were sufficient, they rarely use of computers or they engaged in self-study or assistance from others: — reason for not having taken a course on computer use: lack of time, — reason for not having taken a course on computer use: course costs, — reason for not having taken a course on computer use: no suitable course on content available. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having ever used the Internet: — Internet skills for using a search engine to find information, — Internet skills for sending e-mails with attached files, — Internet skills for posting messages to chat rooms, newsgroups or an online discussion forum (e.g. on websites for social networking), — Internet skills for using the Internet to make phone calls, — Internet skills for using peer-to-peer file sharing for exchanging movies, music, etc., — Internet skills for creating a web page, — Internet skills for uploading text, games, images, films or music to websites (e.g. to websites for social networking), — Internet skills for modifying the security setting of Internet browsers. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having ever used the computer or Internet and having one or more computer or Internet skills (e-skills): — way of obtaining e-skills: formalised educational institution, — way of obtaining e-skills: training courses in adult education centre (but not at the initiative of the employer), — way of obtaining e-skills: vocational training courses (at the request of the employer), — way of obtaining e-skills: self-study using books, CD-ROMs, online courses, wikis, online discussion forum etc., — way of obtaining e-skills: self-study in the sense of learning-by-doing, — way of obtaining e-skills: informal assistance from colleagues, relatives, friends, — way of obtaining e-skills: other, — self-assessment of whether the individual’s current computer or Internet skills are sufficient if he/she needed to look for a job or change jobs within a year (yes; no; not applicable), — self-assessment of whether the individual’s current computer or Internet skills are sufficient to communicate with relatives, friends, colleagues over the Internet (yes; no; not applicable), — self-assessment of whether the individual’s current computer or Internet skills are sufficient to protect personal data (yes; no; not applicable), — self-assessment of whether the individual’s current computer or Internet skills are sufficient to protect the private computer from virus or other computer infection (yes; no; not applicable). Characteristics to be collected for individuals aged less than 35 years having ever used the computer or Internet, having one or more computer or Internet skills (e-skills) and obtained e-skills through formalised educational institution: — (optional) e-skills obtained in primary or lower secondary schools, — (optional) e-skills obtained in upper secondary educational institution (schools for university entrance qualification or skilled posts), — (optional) e-skills obtained in tertiary educational institution (e.g. university leading to BA, MA degrees, PhD). Barriers to the use of ICT and the Internet Characteristics to be collected for households without access to the Internet at home: — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: have access to Internet elsewhere, — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: do not need Internet (because not useful, not interesting, etc.), — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: equipment costs too high, — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: access costs too high (telephone, DSL subscription etc.), — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: lack of skills, — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: privacy or security concerns, — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: broadband Internet is not available in our area, — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: physical disability, — reason for not having access to the Internet at home: none of the above, but other. Use of ICT by individuals to exchange information and services with governments and public administrations (e-government) Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used the Internet in the last twelve months: — Internet usage in the last twelve months for private purposes for obtaining information from public authorities’ websites, — Internet usage in the last twelve months for private purposes for downloading official forms from public authorities’ websites, — Internet usage in the last twelve months for private purposes for sending filled-in forms to public authorities. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used the Internet in the last twelve months for private purposes for sending filled-in forms to public authorities: — (optional) Internet usage in the last twelve months for private purposes for sending filled-in forms for the purpose of tax declaration, Characteristics to be collected for individuals having not sent filled-in forms to public authorities over the Internet for private purposes in the last twelve months: — reason for not sending filled-in forms to public authorities over the Internet: did not have to submit official forms at all. Characteristics to be collected for individuals having not sent filled-in forms to public authorities over the Internet for private purposes in the last twelve months and who have not mentioned as reason they did not have to submit official forms at all: — reason for not sending filled-in forms to public authorities over the Internet: there was no such website service available, — reason for not sending filled-in forms to public authorities over the Internet: technical failure of website during filling-in or sending the form, — reason for not sending filled-in forms to public authorities over the Internet: lack of skills or knowledge (e.g. did not know how to use website or use was too complicated), — reason for not sending filled-in forms to public authorities over the Internet: concerns about protection and security of personal data, — none of the above, but other. Access to and use of technologies enabling connection to the Internet or other networks from anywhere at any time (ubiquitous connectivity) Characteristics to be collected for individuals having used the Internet in the last three months: — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: mobile phone (or smart phone), — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: mobile phone (or smart phone) via GPRS, — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: mobile phone (or smart phone) via UMTS, HSDPA etc. (at least 3G), — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: mobile phone (or smart phone) via public WiFi or WiMAX, — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: portable computer (e.g. laptop), — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: portable computer (e.g. laptop) via USB key or laptop card (using at least 3G mobile broadband e.g. UMTS), — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: portable computer (e.g. laptop) via public WiFi or WiMAX, — use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work: none of the above, but other, — no use of mobile devices to access the Internet away from home or work.