INMA_A01.QXD

cannot afford to access the Internet. For example, Figure 2.15 shows that Internet access

is now increasing less rapidly in Europe. As we will see at the start of the next chapter,

there is a significant group that have no perceived need for the Internet.

CUSTOMERS

Figure 2.15Global variation in number of PCs per hundred population and percentage

Internet access in 2004

Source: ITU (www.itu.int)

60.0

50.0

40.0

30.0

20.0

10.0

0.0

Africa Asia Americas Europe Oceania World

Key

Internet access %

PCs per 100 population

Activity 2.4 Global variation in Internet provision

Visit the web site of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

(www.itu.int/ti/industryoverview/index.htm). Choose Internet indicators. This

presents data on Internet and PC penetration in over 200 countries. A summary of

the indicators for different continents is presented in Figure 2.15.

Questions

1 Find your country and compare the number of PCs per hundred population and percentage

Internet access compared with other countries in your region and on a global basis.

2 Now attempt to explain reasons for the disparity between your country and other countries.

3 Can you see your country equalling or exceeding the USA in terms of these indicators?

Note that PCs are recorded as PCs per hundred population. This figure may be skewed in

developed countries by people with more than one PC (e.g. at home and at work).



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