Internet Users Will Surpass 1 Billion in 2005
Wireless Internet Users reach 62% in 2005

Buffalo Grove IL, February 6, 2001-
The number of Internet users surpassed 400 million in 2000 and will continue to grow strongly in the next five years. Most of the growth is coming from Asia, Latin America and parts of Europe. By year-end 2005 the number of worldwide Internet users will nearly triple to 1.17B. An increasing portion of Internet users will be using wireless devices such as web-enabled cell phones and PDAs to go online. The wireless devices will be supplemental to PC Internet access for most users in developed countries. In countries with low Internet penetration most wireless Internet devices will be the primary or only Internet access device.

The wireless Internet is currently perceived as a disappointment due to earlier inflated expectations. However, the wireless Internet has lived up to expectations in Japan and similar success is expected in other regions, but on a slower schedule.

"The wireless Internet will take off rapidly once always-on service and useful content for the small displays of wireless devices are available," says Dr. Egil Juliussen, the author of the reports. "The rapid take off will be due to millions of "dormant" or web-enabled cell phones that are only used for voice services. As the wireless Internet user experience improves, an increasing portion of the dormant web-enabled phones will become active wireless Internet devices."

These are some of the results from two new market research reports by eTForecasts. The first report compiles and forecasts the number of Internet users for over 50 countries and major regions of the world. The second report explores technology trends, product segments and market opportunities for information appliances.

eTForecasts publishes market research reports for the PC, information appliance and Internet industries.