Internet still booming, among users and businesses
E-commerce grew by 68 per cent worldwide between 2000 and 2001, generating $600 billion, despite a slowdown in the economic fortunes of many countries. The number of users is also increasing, with an expected 600 million online around the world by the end of this year. These are some of the findings from a new report from analyst firm IDC. The firm's vice president, Carol Glasheen, said that one of the other interesting findings from the research was that the Internet, far from homogenising the content, provides a patchwork of different identities. 'In effect, instead of the Internet normalising worldwide variations, it has become a reflection of the many geographies, cultures, economics and political conditions that exist in the offline world,' she said. Businesses who use the Internet need to understand these differences, according to the report. Research in the UK has indicated that small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are rapidly taking to the Internet. Latest figures indicate that 63 per cent are online, with an eight per cent increase since May 2001. A similar percentage of SMEs are also using mobile phones.