China is Worlds Largest Net-using Population
According to official figures posted today from the China Internet Network Information Centre (CNNIC), China has surpassed the US as the world?s largest net-using population with more than 253 million people in the country now online.
The figure fly?s past the US total of 223 million, which was last checked in June. Net penetration in the US stands at 71 percent compared to 19 percent in China suggesting that it will vastly outstrip the US soon.
The development is significant as the US has had the largest net-using population since records began.
“This is the first time the number has drastically surpassed the United States, becoming the world’s number one,” said a statement from the CNNIC, the nation’s official net monitoring body.
The figures for 2008 are up 56 percent since last year, said CNNIC. Analysts expect the total to grow by around 18 percent per annum and reach a staggering 490 million by 2012.
Around 95 percent of those going online connect via high-speed broadband, which has had a consumer boost from deals that attempt to lure customers away from mobile operators.
Currently, China?s mobile phone users total around 500 million people.
Even though the users are increasing, net revenue for the country is still significantly lower than the US. In 2007, Analysys International said China?s net firms reported total revenues of ?2.96bn. By contract, the US reported total revenues of ?10.6bn.
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