“Despite a troubled economy and slumping PC sales, adoption of the Internet continues to grow at double-digit annual rates,” said Sean Kaldor, vice president of analytical services, NetRatings. “The Web long-ago captured early adopters and is now reaching the latter half of mainstream America. Going forward, Internet growth is being driven by late adopters and by more aggressive use from the enormous existing Internet population.”
“Compared to other communications and media technology, Internet adoption has reached nearly three out of five homes almost overnight,” added Kaldor. “While PC and Internet penetration have far exceeded many other types of consumer devices, there is still ample room to grow before reaching the 98% penetration levels of telephones and TVs.”
| Internet Penetration (US households) |
| Month |
Internet Universe |
Census Population |
Internet Penetration |
| |
(000) |
(000) |
|
| July, 1999 |
106,370 |
272,691 |
39% |
| July, 2000 |
143,959 |
275,130 |
52% |
| July, 2001 |
165,181 |
284,870 |
58% |
| Source: Nielsen//NetRatings |
