AFA, the French internet service provider association, said yesterday that 4% of French households are online, and it expects the number to rise dramatically over the next 12 months. AFA, the Association des Fournisseurs d’Acces et de Services Internet, represents 13 ISPs in France including AOL and UUNet, a total of 82% of the consumer market. The organization said its subscribers (including those only trying out the service) reached 1.5 million in the first quarter, logging nearly 13 million hours online. This was an increase of 220,000 subscribers, 40% greater than the year-ago period. The AFA said it expects a million further accounts to be opened this year, not including the rush to the subscription-free French ISPs which is likely following several launches this week.
