Report shows usage patterns are the trend to watch

While adoption may be plateauing in North America, it is still growing fast in other markets. Japan is the number one Internet-based economy today, with nine out of 10 users online in the last 30 days. The trend to watch, says this report, is the way use of the Internet is changing.

According to Brian Cruikshank, senior vice president and MD of Ipsos Insight's Technology & Communications practice, "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 - whether it is checking RSS feeds, blogging or picking up a podcast or yesterday's sitcom, consumers continue to expand and apply new depth of Internet use that we haven't seen before.

"The trends we're seeing in wireless PC usage, ownership of peripheral devices such as MP3 players and mobile phones, and the presumed rising levels of awareness of and comfort using the Internet globally, really set the stage for a tipping point in the near future for this medium. We anticipate continued growth in consumer adoption of the 'digital lifestyle' globally - particularly as consumers become to expect access to the Internet in an anytime/anywhere paradigm for communication, gathering and sharing information, and accessing digital content and entertainment."

The rapid adoption of broadband and wifi in South Africa will push users towards this "always-on" digital lifestyle. South African business owners, marketers and PR agencies can learn how to take advantage of this trend at the Online + Seminar in Cape Town, 7 June 2006. Keynote speaker is international expert on Internet marketing and PR, Sally Falkow. Bizcommunity.com is the online media sponsor.

For more info, go to www.expansionplus.com/SEO_seminar.html