Internet usage (worldwide) and the fate of internet in not too distant future
You may be wrong, while congratulating yourself for the delightfully effective internet service provided by WEFE Technologies P. Ltd at Bhubaneswar, presuming that people in Europe or America are the largest users of internet, because stats tell a different story. Out of an estimated 3.5 billion internet users worldwide (2016), the majority of such users are located in East and South Asia, while China had more than 721 million internet users, much above the number of 3rd ranked U.S. with around 290 million internet users.
Incidentally, India ranked 2nd in number of users, while Brazil and Japan completed the rest. In terms of average internet connection speed, South Korea boasts the highest – 27 Mbps, while the global average internet speed was reckoned as 6.1 Mbps (2016).
WORLD INTERNET USAGE AND POPULATION STATISTICS DEC 31, 2017 - Update
| World Regions | Population ( 2018 Est.) | Population % of World | Internet Users 31 Dec 2017 | Penetration Rate (% Pop.) | Growth 2000-2018 | Internet Users % |
| Africa | 1,287,914,329 | 16.9 % | 453,329,534 | 35.2 % | 9,941 % | 10.9 % |
| Asia | 4,207,588,157 | 55.1 % | 2,023,630,194 | 48.1 % | 1,670 % | 48.7 % |
| Europe | 827,650,849 | 10.8 % | 704,833,752 | 85.2 % | 570 % | 17.0 % |
| Latin America / Caribbean | 652,047,996 | 8.5 % | 437,001,277 | 67.0 % | 2,318 % | 10.5 % |
| Middle East | 254,438,981 | 3.3 % | 164,037,259 | 64.5 % | 4,893 % | 3.9 % |
| North America | 363,844,662 | 4.8 % | 345,660,847 | 95.0 % | 219 % | 8.3 % |
| Oceania / Australia | 41,273,454 | 0.6 % | 28,439,277 | 68.9 % | 273 % | 0.7 % |
| WORLD TOTAL | 7,634,758,428 | 100.0 % | 4,156,932,140 | 54.4 % | 1,052 % | 100.0 % |
How most Internet users access the internet
(based on 2016 facts and figures)
As of late, many internet users turn to their mobile phones to access the internet, even as millennial internet users devote around 3 to 4 hours on mobile internet service almost on a daily basis. Generation X internet users, as stats point out, also spend similar time accessing the internet while on the go. Needless to say, many commercial establishments, sensing this new found phenomenon most profitable, have zeroed in on mobile-first strategy, while at the same time have optimized their content, ,making it mobile-friendly. Some of them have gone one step forward by way of communicating through email, online video, online shopping as well as social media platforms. Instance messaging, during this period, gained much recognition, while WhatsApp turning into the most popular mobile messaging world over with more than a billion monthly active users. Facebook messenger wasn’t left behind either (900 million monthly active users). What’s more, it was reckoned to be the leading social network with 1.7 billion active users.
Form of Internet in the coming years
Technology, as we all know, is unstoppable. Once it starts rolling, you never know where it will end up. The broadband, during its teething days ran at snails speed. However, today it is much faster. Nevertheless, the fate of internet which qualifies as one of the highest forms of world class technology has a fairly promising horoscope, the findings of which are outlined below.
Internet usage will exceed 5 billion by 2020
Developed countries such as North America and parts of Europe that has already reached the saturation point, with internet penetration reaching well over 80% and therefore may not yarn for further growth, developing nations such as Africa, especially the emerging nations where penetration is as low as 10%, the growth pattern will soar appreciably.
Developing countries are expected to witness the bulk of the growth
Developed countries such as North America and parts of Europe that has already reached the saturation point, with internet penetration reaching well over 80% and therefore may not yarn for further growth, developing nations such as Africa, especially the emerging nations where penetration is as low as 10%, the growth pattern will soar appreciably.
The Internet of Things is likely to change
With the critical infrastructure slowly building up, it is reasonable to anticipate that the internet will no more remain as a mere network of computers and instead become a network of devices, which may be called ‘things’. Currently, there are 13.4 billion ‘things’ that are connected to the internet. However, by 2020, this is anticipated to grow up to a colossal figure reaching 38.5 billion.
Wireless Internet worldwide
A vast majority, nay the whole lot of internet users all over the lonely planet will be accessing the internet through their mobile devices in not too distant future. With technologies such as 4G and 5G already in use, they will be able to do so at fabulous speed. With 4G already becoming the standard technology in peninsular India, it is no wonder that most of the developing nations will follow suit. With 5G coming up soon with full vibe pretty soon, the world will witness a new genre of internet users who will surpass its earlier generation by leaps and bounds.
As time passes, the number of internet users will grow till everyone occupying a space in the lonely planet is connected to internet and so each other, regardless of where he or she is located. As a result of this, the difference between person or person will become lesser, ensuring amity and goodwill instead of hostility and hatred and by 2020, there will be one nation and one religion called Humanity. ompleted the rest. In terms of average internet connection speed, South Korea boasts the highest – 27 Mbps, while the global average internet speed was reckoned as 6.1 Mbps (2016).
