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Internet Saturation Not Far Away

Though some thought the saturation point of the internet would arrive many years from now when all American households were wired, a study by Park Associates - a Dallas-based market research firm - suggests that saturation has nearly arrived, reports Media Life. According to the study, internet penetration growth will rise from 63 percent to 64 percent this year, meaning only 2 million of the 39 million homes without internet service plan to go online in 2006.

Of the 1,000 homes surveyed, 29 percent did not have computers. These respondents, called internet abstainers, stay away from the internet for differing reasons. The majority, 39 percent, cited “other,” not expanding their response. Thirty-one percent have internet access at work, 18 percent did not have interest in the internet, and 8 percent did not know how to use it. 

The director of research at Park Associates, John Barrett, told Media Life that internet adoption is leveling off because access cannot get much cheaper, with many services being free. Those households abstaining from the internet do not see value in it.

Of the internet being in every home, Barret said, “Eventually I think it will be just like electricity, every household has it. If we have to wait for that generation to grow up, it will take a while.