WEB BRIEFINGS: Asia's Net user figures to skyrocket, predicts IDC

<p>Sparked by falling Internet access tariffs, the free ISP trend </p><p>hitting the region and a ramp-up in Web activity by savvy old economy </p><p>companies, 'Net usage in Asia will skyrocket from the current 25.7 </p><p>million users (excluding Japan) to 40 million by year-end. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>IDC Asia/Pacific recently backed up its findings by stating that </p><p>ecommerce would also increase, with US$7.3 billion spent by </p><p>Asia's eshoppers during this time. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Within this hotpot of activity, China will emerge as the country with </p><p>the highest number of Internet users - pushing Australia into second </p><p>place, with South Korea and Taiwan following in close succession. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>According to IDC's data, compound growth of Internet users between 1999 </p><p>and 2004 will reach 41 per cent - bringing the numbers of Internet users </p><p>in the region to 141 million when 2004 strikes. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>