Nearly three-quarters of homes in Northern Ireland have broadband, it has been revealed.

More people are visiting social networking sites, watching television and making calls over the internet, according to a new communications regulator report. However, many of the broadband users claimed they were not getting value for money.

People living in rural areas were more likely to take up broadband, mobile phones and satellite television.

Regulator Ofcom director Denis Wolinski said: "Over the last four years, we have seen Northern Ireland catch up and in some cases overtake the rest of the UK in the use of the latest communications services."

Around 70% of homes have broadband, an increase of 6% from last year and putting Northern Ireland on a par with the rest of the UK.

Over a third of people use social networking sites or watch television online and 15% of households make phone or video calls over the internet.

The report also said Northern Ireland people watched less television than the UK average - three and a half hours per person per day.

It said consumers in Northern Ireland were less satisfied with their home phone, mobile and broadband services than consumers elsewhere in the UK yet are also less likely to switch their provider.

Only 74% of those asked in Northern Ireland said they were very or fairly satisfied with the value for money of their broadband service.