How much does the UK rely on the internet? Experts explain following the AWS outage earlier this week

The major internet outage this week, caused by a disruption to Amazon Web Services, left millions of users and businesses worldwide without access to online services.

From retailers and banks to cloud-connected devices and communication platforms, the incident exposed just how deeply society depends on seamless connectivity.

According to research, major electricity blackouts have increased by 67% globally over the past decade highlighting the growing vulnerability of our interconnected systems.

Mouser Electronics, a component distributor, highlights just how reliant we are on the internet and why chaos can quickly follow when outages occur.

When the internet goes down, everyday life stops

Examples of where the UK and US are most reliant on the internet:

1. Online banking

Mouser’s research found that 99% of both the UK and US populations have access to a bank and rely on online banking.

Per capita electricity consumption in these countries is over 100 times higher than in nations such as Burundi or South Sudan. With fewer than 2% of people unbanked, nearly all financial transactions depend on electricity. Consequently, a prolonged blackout would disrupt the economy far more rapidly than in less technologically connected nations.

2. Travel and transport

Over 80% of the UK and US population lives in urban areas making transport heavily reliant on electricity. If digital tickets, ride apps, and navigation tools stop working, passengers can be left stranded or face travel penalties.

3. Work and communication

Mouser’s research found that 93.46% of the UK and 90.07% of the US population are active internet users, showing how embedded online systems have become in daily life. Even brief outages can bring essential services to a standstill. Remote teams could lose access to email, cloud files, and conferencing tools, meaning workdays cease.

Mark Patrick, Director of Technical Content at Mouser, said, “Living in an increasingly cashless society means we’ve traded convenience for vulnerability. When internet outages block access to online banking, people can suddenly find themselves unable to pay for essentials like food, fuel, or travel. It’s a stark reminder that while digital systems make life easier, they also leave us exposed when connectivity fails.”

How can we strengthen our digital independence?

• Ensure systems and files have offline functionality or local control.
• Keep small cash reserves or offline payment options in case online banking fails.
• Save, download, or screenshot tickets and maps for travel so you can access them without the internet.

Mark Patrick added, “Preparing for internet outages is more than just good practice – it’s essential. Running regular simulations helps both businesses and households see how their systems respond when connectivity fails, while educating teams and users ensures everyone knows what to do when things go offline.

For example, government emergency alerts, like SOS warnings, run independently from the internet. They reach people through broadcast, radio, and mobile network systems separate from online services. Taking these steps turns a potential crisis into a manageable situation.”