Eurostat - the statistics wing of the European Commission - published results this week on internet access across the European Union. For the first time, a European country has seen a decline in internet access per household. The percentage of Italian households with Internet access fell from 43 percent, in 2007, to 42 percent in 2008.

All other European countries have seen an increase at various rates.

According Francesco Federico at the European Journalism Centre this is due to "digital and cultural divides that plague Italy."

Federico reports that there is a significant divide between the North and South of Italy in terms of broadband reach, with the north of the country being better served. He reports that, "many southern regions don't have broadband connectivity even in large cities." The problem of broadband access is due to the phone operator monopoly established.

Frederico also believes that there is a cultural problem in Italy, alledging that the country's is reluctant to accept change.

Source: European Journalism Centre