eanax
08-29-2001, 06:26 AM
Wednesday, August 29 1:21 AM SGT
Number of Internet users hits 459 million worldwide: study
WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (AFP) -
The number of people with Internet access at home rose to 459 million worldwide in the second quarter, up 30 million from the first three months of the year, according to a new study.
The survey released Monday by Nielsen//NetRatings found that the United States and Canada accounted for 40 percent of the world's Internet population, down slightly from 41 percent in the first quarter.
The region comprising Europe, the Middle East and Africa remained static with 27 percent of Internet users, followed by the Asia-Pacific region with 22 percent, up from 20 percent. Latin America held at four percent of the total.
The report suggests there is room for growth in many regions.
"In terms of penetration levels, about 65 percent of households with telephones in South Korea, Sweden and Australia have PCs at home," said Richard Goosey of Nielsen//NetRatings.
"It is interesting that a number of well-developed European markets are way behind these levels: Germany with 48 percent, UK with 46 percent, Italy with 41 percent and France with 34 percent."
Goosey said these market, with relatively large population bases and high disposable incomes "present a great opportunity for PC manufacturers in the consumer market. Through increased marketing efforts they should be able to lift the penetration rates of these countries up to at least 50 percent."
The analyst said opportunities exist in a number of other European and Asia-Pacific as well as developing countries with low PC penetration such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
"Global PC manufacturers face considerable challenges relating to product differentiation through marketing, distribution channels and the equity of their brands in each market," he said. "But at the other end of that challenge is the opportunity to increase sales by millions of units at a time when the US PC market is leveling off."
Number of Internet users hits 459 million worldwide: study
WASHINGTON, Aug 28 (AFP) -
The number of people with Internet access at home rose to 459 million worldwide in the second quarter, up 30 million from the first three months of the year, according to a new study.
The survey released Monday by Nielsen//NetRatings found that the United States and Canada accounted for 40 percent of the world's Internet population, down slightly from 41 percent in the first quarter.
The region comprising Europe, the Middle East and Africa remained static with 27 percent of Internet users, followed by the Asia-Pacific region with 22 percent, up from 20 percent. Latin America held at four percent of the total.
The report suggests there is room for growth in many regions.
"In terms of penetration levels, about 65 percent of households with telephones in South Korea, Sweden and Australia have PCs at home," said Richard Goosey of Nielsen//NetRatings.
"It is interesting that a number of well-developed European markets are way behind these levels: Germany with 48 percent, UK with 46 percent, Italy with 41 percent and France with 34 percent."
Goosey said these market, with relatively large population bases and high disposable incomes "present a great opportunity for PC manufacturers in the consumer market. Through increased marketing efforts they should be able to lift the penetration rates of these countries up to at least 50 percent."
The analyst said opportunities exist in a number of other European and Asia-Pacific as well as developing countries with low PC penetration such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
"Global PC manufacturers face considerable challenges relating to product differentiation through marketing, distribution channels and the equity of their brands in each market," he said. "But at the other end of that challenge is the opportunity to increase sales by millions of units at a time when the US PC market is leveling off."