Internet use in Hong Kong continues to soar, according to a recent survey which shows about 500,000 people now use the world's newest communications technology. According to the poll by Surveying Research Hongkong, the number of new Internet users is nearly double last year's estimate, while the number of those who actually hold Internet accounts has soared to 300,000. 'We believe the rising popularity of the multi-media PCs at home has contributed to the increase of Internet access,' SRH director Johnny Tsin said. 'It is common practice now for new PCs to have free Internet access as part of the incentives.' SRH, a division of the global rating and polling firm Nielsen SRG, also found the average Internet population was younger and less elite than before - although Internet use is still found predominately in upper-income households. This year's results show 69 per cent of all Internet access occurs from private homes, with the remainder divided between schools and offices. 'The growth of Internet access is moving the Internet user profile into that of the average population,' Mr Tsin said. However, he added, the number of female Internet users has not increased as fast as SRH anticipated it would after last year's survey. The poll also found the average Internet experience was little changed from last year, despite the massive influx of new users. Hong Kong Internet users still average three-to-four uses per week, spending well over an hour each day logged on. 'To our surprise, Hong Kong Internet users seem to be more attracted to other leisure activities during the weekends,' he said. 'Quite a few of them did not log on at all during weekends.' Mr Tsin said the research also found the market for Internet service providers to be nearly saturated at 90. He predicted the number of competitors in the industry would drop substantially because 70 per cent of all Hong Kong Internet users relied on only three ISPs for service. 'We believe the number of ISPs will decline very soon as the small players may not get enough customers for survival,' he said. In addition to the most traditional Internet activities, Web surfing and e-mail, Internet shopping or e-commerce has made large strides in Hong Kong. The survey found book and magazine shopping to be a major attraction, although a number of users still fear the security issues involved in revealing personal information like credit card numbers over cyberspace.
