Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Internet growth cooling, but dependence increasing

Growth in the use of the Internet has come off its sizzling pace, even as people become more dependent on cyberspace for work and leisure, a global survey showed.

Ipsos Insight's annual " Face Of The Web " study showed the global online population grew just five percent last year, well behind the 20 percent growth rate seen in 2004 .

The survey of 6,500 people in 12 major countries by the research firm suggested growth will be slow in 2006 as well.

Still the survey indicates people are using the Internet for a broad variety of activities and using newer devices such as wireless computers and mobile phones for Internet access.

"We think the results in 2005 really prove that measuring growth of the Internet in the coming years will be less about user volume, and more about consumers' reliance on this medium as a way of life," said Ipsos senior vice president Brian Cruikshank.

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