More women and seniors said online

By Kate Holton

LONDON (Reuters) - Britons are changing their media habits as more women and people over 65 go online and as more consumers opt for a single provider for their Internet, entertainment and phone services, an industry report says.

Among the changing trends in 2006, children are cutting back from using computer games to spend time on mobile phones and the Internet, media regulator Ofcom said in its annual report.

As technologies, platforms and devices have come together due to increased broadband penetration, more people are making phone calls over the Internet, listening to radio via television and watching TV over mobile phones.

In response, advertisers diverted more money to the Internet and away from traditional sources, Ofcom said.

"Our communications sector continues to develop at a fast pace, with consumers of all ages using a range of devices to find the services they want," said Peter Phillips, Ofcom partner of strategy and market developments.

Average daily Internet use was 36 minutes in 2006, up 158 percent on 2002, while time spent on the mobile phone also increased, up 58 percent at almost 4 minutes per day.

On the down side, time spent watching TV fell 4 percent during that period, although it still dominated with average daily viewing at 3 hours and 36 minutes.

Listening to radio was down 2 percent at 2 hours and 50 minutes, and time spent on a fixed-line phone was down 8 percent at 7 minutes.