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.