There's growing evidence that broadband really does bring about lifestyle changes, according to research published by NetValue.

It found that broadband penetration in Hong Kong increased by more than half in the first six months of the year, from 9.4 per cent in January to 14.7 per cent in June.

While the figures alone are only something operators in the UK can only dream about, the research also notes a change in usage patterns among consumers.

Said NetValue's Clayton Fitts: "Broadband users have more sessions online, visit more Web sites and use more Internets tools - primarily games, audio-video and file transfers - and this brings an imperceptible but significant lifestyle change to the users.

He went on: "Users such as housewives don't care about a faster connection, they care about the services both they and the family will use.

"It's time for broadband operators to really ask what's been cooking in their kitchen, so to speak, because that's what they're paying for," he said.

Well, in the UK's broadband kitchen - to continue the metaphor - the answer appears to be not much. ®