SECOND DIGITAL GOLD RUSH TO BE LED BY WOMEN: FACE OF THE WEB STUDY FROM ANGUS REID GROUP

Democratization of Internet continues as more than 150 million people worldwide expected to log on for first time this year - E-mail among biggest attractions for new users

VANCOUVER, March 30, 2000 - For the first time ever, women will lead global Internet growth this year, helping close the gender gap that has typified the Internet since its inception, findings from Angus Reid Group's The Face of the Web study show. As well, more Boomers than teens and young adults will log on for the first time this year. But contrary to other studies, The Face of the Web sees little growth potential from the over 55 age group, which not only has the smallest segment intending to go online but the most people who say they have no use for the Internet.

The global study -- based on a sample of 28,374 internet users and consumers conducted by telephone or face-to-face using conventional research techniques and full random sampling in 34 countries -- estimates that more than 150 million people will use the Internet for the first time this year, joining well over 300 million current on-line users worldwide.

About 59% of current Internet users are male and 41% female; the study shows, however, that of people who intend to go online this year, an estimated 54% will be female and 46% male. But in the "leading edge" countries of the U.S., Canada, Australia, Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands and Switzerland, the percentage of women intending to log on this year jumps to 60%. On a regional basis, North America and developed parts of Asia will add the greatest number of new users in the next year. The U.S. alone is expected to add as many as 33 million new users.

"In many respects, this is the second digital gold rush - much more mainstream and truly global. In the developed world, the first digital gold rush was marked by early adopters and the elite, mostly young men with higher levels of education. Now, women and households with children represent the fastest growing segments of the online market in the developed countries. In the less developed regions, we're still in the early stages of Internet adoption," said Brian Cruikshank, project director for The Face of the Web, the most comprehensive study ever of global Internet usage.

"For years, many women took a "wait-and-see" approach to the Internet. They felt the Internet was overly technical and many still feel overwhelmed by technology. But now, the lure and appeal of the Internet, especially e-mail, is just too great to resist. The latent demand is significant and the market potential for Internet providers is tremendous."

The reasons for going online most often cited by current non-users are: information/research, communications and general curiosity. E-commerce was a distant fourth, suggesting that newcomers to the Net need time to get comfortable with browsing, research and e-mail first. In terms of barriers, the greatest concerns cited by potential users were lack of knowledge and equipment (only 40% of potential users own personal computers). Cruikshank said Internet providers who focus on security and family-focused content will be the big winners in developed countries.

"Confidence building will be the name of game over the next few years. In less developed countries, simply understanding what the Internet is all about is the more relevant issue," he said.

For more information on this release, please contact:

Elen Alexov Director of Marketing Services Ipsos in North America 778.373.5136