Allegra Strategies: Internet access for the masses in UK
The Internet is coming closer to being an everyday feature in the
lives of UK consumers, with an expected rise in the number of Internet
cafes and an increase in the availability of Internet access in
libraries, supermarkets, and even pubs, according to Allegra
Strategies.
Access points for the Internet will rise to 60,000 units by the end of
2002, attracting over 320 million people to Internet cafes, Internet
kiosks, and public libraries with Internet access.
The cybercafe market is predicted to grow at a rate of 24.5 percent
per year with 630 outlets and 15,400 Internet terminals by 2002. The
number of visitors to these cafes is also projected to rise from 21.8
million visitors per year to 42.2 million visitors over the same
period.
Internet kiosks should rise in number to over 23,000 reaching 240
million people each year by 2002. The key features on kiosks will
include web access, email, video-conferencing, gaming, and music
downloads.
Mobile Internet access is also set to become a popular future trend in
the UK. By 2002, the number of active mobile Internet subscribers will
rise to 18.5 million, and 44.5 million by 2005. Awareness of mobile
Internet phones is high among UK consumers, with 90 percent claiming
they know about the Internet capabilities of these devices.