Growth in Internet Access 

Growth in business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce is related to the growth in access to the Internet. Data published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census states that the number of homes with access to the Internet increased from 18.6 % in September of 1997 to 26.2 % in December of 1998 to reach 41.5 % in August of 2000. In percentage points this corresponds to an annual increase of 41 %. Impressive? Compared to the historical increase in the use of of other "appliances" it does not seem that impressive. The chart below shows comparisons with eight other "appliances". (Openers refer to can openers.)

The Internet was created in the 1960s, but it was not available to home users until computers started to be available in homes in 1979. The chart shows that Internet access grew at the same rate as television sets and color TV. If that growth rate continues, all home PCs will have Internet access in 2004. That will not happen but the number of homes with Internet access will be in the upper 90s percentage-wise.

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Revised 2000-11-28.