Northern Ontario boasts
above-average household computer and basic Internet penetration, according
to a 2005 spring survey conducted by Oraclepoll Research Ltd.
NEOnet (North Eastern Ontario Communications
Network, Inc.) wanted to find out the computer and Internet use and
adoption rate of households in Northern Ontario.
Funded by FedNor and College Boreal, they
hired Oraclepoll to conduct a survey where 500 residents and 125
businesses from the area were interviewed.
The results were astounding:
It found that over 80% of all households
have computers in their homes.
The study also confirmed information that
estimated that over 75% of all Canadians have access to the internet -
either at home or at work. In fact, by visiting the library, 100% of all
Canadians actually have access to the internet.
Furthermore, of the people who have access
to the internet, over 77% of them are using high speed internet service.
Another item to note is that people with
internet access indicate that they prefer to visit a store's web site
prior to making a trip to shop on site. They feel it is important that
they learn as much about the store as possible so that they do not waste
time.
Northern businesses with Internet rated at
92 percent. The Canadian average is 84 percent. NEOnet also learned that
54 percent of Northern businesses perform their commerce online, compared
to the national average of 45 percent.
This survey confirmed that much of Northeastern Ontario is definitely
ONLINE and is communicating via the internet. The Valley East Today
Electronic Newsletter will definitely go a long way to connecting the
community.
