Latest projections from International Data Corp predict 95 million internet users spending nearly $90bn inline in the Asia Pacific region excluding Japan by 2004. This compares to an estimated 21.8 million users by the end of next month who will have spent $2.2bn online in the 1999 calendar year.
The biggest growth will come from China, where the user base is expected to grow from an estimated 3.8 million by the end of this year to more than 33 million in five years time. This compares with growth in Hong Kong of an estimated 1.1 million users now to 2.6 million, or about 40% of the population, by 2004.
According to IDC’s updated forecast of growth in internet user populations and on-line revenue in 13 Asia-Pacific countries, China, India and South Korea will lead the way with growth of nearly 80% a year, while the other 10 countries will see 35% to 45% annual growth in subscribers.
The growth will be fueled by government investment in IT infrastructure, ISPs offering free personal computers with subscriptions and a proliferation of electronic devices including mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs) offering web access, the report said.
