Steven,
Thanks for the information. Can't get the spread sheet to work on LOTUS. Here is an interesting article on internet use and speed.
Subj: Leading IT Researcher Slams Internet As a 'Micro Medium'...
Date: 98-02-18 13:30:06 EST
Leading IT Researcher Slams Internet As a 'Micro Medium' New Study Confirms Need for New Breed High Speed Internet Connections
PRINCETON, N.J., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- A leading technology market researcher has cited a recent international survey of nearly 2,000 respondents to highlight fundamental weaknesses in the Internet. Jeffrey Peel, who recently joined Response Analysis Corporation of Princeton, N.J., has pointed to user frustrations with Internet access and poor levels of usage within the adult populations in several countries surveyed. Peel has worked for some of the world's leading information technology companies and has published many reports on technology topics.
In a statement, Peel argues that the Internet is still confined to a select few. "Our data show that in Japan, for example, just 7% of the adult population use the Net. Even in the US, less than a third of the adult population go online at home or at work. And for many of these users, usage is limited to business needs. The popular perception that everyone is spending more and more time surfing the Web is simply a myth.
"This causes me to question the logic of major global advertisers diverting their expenditure, at this time, away from traditional media to the Web. Our data, collected from respondents in 12 countries, indicate that in many countries telephone call tariffs still mitigate against extended Web surfing. In Germany and Italy, for example, those who use the Web tend to access it less frequently and for shorter periods.
"More damning than this is the fact that high percentages of Internet users, in all countries surveyed, report that their usage is actually declining. Indeed, in all but one country surveyed, the majority of respondents indicated that their usage is staying the same or declining. Users increasing their access time were in the majority only in Greece -- a country with a very low base of current usage.
"The lesson to be learned from this is that the Internet is far from being the panacea that many believe it to be. The study has confirmed suspicions that slowness of response -- given the usage of relatively slow speed modems -- is frustrating many users."
According to Michael Campbell, the report's author and a Senior Research Director at Response Analysis, the study is further ammunition for those arguing that the telephone companies should be accelerating their development plans for digital subscriber line services. "Recent moves by Compaq, Intel, and Microsoft to encourage the PTTs to meet the challenge of cable modem connection to the Net should be applauded," he said. "Until access speeds are substantially increased, and offered to the many, the Internet will continue to be a micro, rather than mass, medium."
About Jeffrey Peel
Jeffrey Peel joined Response Analysis as Vice President responsible for IT client research. Until recently, he ran his own specialist research-based consulting practice in the United Kingdom. His clients have included some of the world's leading IT companies such as 3Com, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Fujitsu. He has written a number of published reports on technology topics such as Systems Management, Mobile Working, and Europe and the Information Society.
About Michael Campbell
Michael Campbell's experience at Response Analysis has been in the telecommunications and interactive technology area. He has undertaken a number of multicountry Internet studies involving Response Analysis' partner companies across the globe.
About Response Analysis Corporation
Response Analysis Corporation is an employee-owned, full-service market and survey research company with headquarters in Princeton, New Jersey. Since its founding in 1969, the company has conducted more than 2,500 research projects for commercial clients, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The company uses sophisticated research design, global data collection, and advanced statistical analysis to provide its clients with enhanced intelligence.
Further Information
For further information about the global Internet study conducted by Response Analysis, contact Jeffrey Peel, Vice President, (e-mail: jeffrey.peel@response-analysis.com), or Michael Campbell, Senior Research Director (e-mail: mike.campbell@response-analysis.com) at Response Analysis Corporation. Telephone: 609-921-3333, or fax: 609-921-2611.
SOURCE Response Analysis Corporation
CO: Response Analysis Corporation
ST: New Jersey
IN: MLM
SU:
02/18/98 13:25 EST prnewswire.com |
