아래는 2006년 1월 3일자 eMarkter에 실린 'Tigers Lead Technology Take-Up (한국과 대만, 두 호랑이의 첨단 IT 적용 상황)'이라는 제목의 글입니다. 우리가 잘 알고 자부심(?)을 느끼고 있는 사실인데 국제적인 저널에 기사로 실린 것이어서 소개합니다.
주요 내용은 다음과 같습니다.
- 국가별 디지털 리빙 인덱스 측면에서 대만이 8.7점으로 1등, 한국은 8.4점으로 2등, 미국, 캐나다, 일본은 각각 8.1, 8.0, 7.9점으로 3, 4, 5 등인 것으로 조사됨.
(디지털 리빙 인덱스는 개인/가정 생활에 MP3 플레이어, Video-On-Demand, 홈 네트워크, 컴퓨터, 온라인 서비스 등의 정보기술 제품을 사용하고 있는 정도를 말합니다.)
- 한국의 인터넷 사용자 수를 EIU, eMarketer, PWC 등은 각각 3천5백4십만명, 3천3백4십만명, 3천2백만명으로 추정하고 있음.
- 광대역 통신망의 시장 규모는 미국, 중국, 일본, 한국 순이며 각각 34.3, 23.2, 17.5, 11.5 백만불로 추정하고 있음. 한편, 각 가정에 광대역 통신망이 보급된 비율은 한국이 73%로 1등, 홍콩과 대만이 각각 59.1%, 대만 50.8%로 2등, 3등, 일본은 38.6%로 6등, 미국은 29.9%로 11등에 위치함.
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Tigers Lead Technology Take-Up
JANUARY 03, 2006
(eMarketer)
US
consumers may lead the world in consumption of television-related products, but
consumers from two Asian countries are ahead when it comes to adopting computer
products.
According to the new "Global Digital Living" report, from Parks Associates, which surveyed over 10,000 households in 13 countries, Taiwan and Korea lead the world in the adoption of computer-related technologies.
"Each nation has particular strengths and weaknesses in terms of technology adoption," said John Barrett of Parks Associates. "Canada, for instance, is a very impressive market for home networking while Japan is the undisputed champion for mobile phones, with over one-half of all Japanese households using mobile phone features like e-mail or photo messaging every month. Of course, long commute times in Japan encourage the use of mobile phone entertainment features."
The survey, which ranked nations according to their proclivity to adopt and use MP3 players, video-on-demand (VOD), home networks, computers, online services, and similar advanced technologies, found that US consumers were most receptive to TV-related technologies (such as DVRs and digital cable).
Looking at the level of South Korea and Taiwan's Internet adoption, eMarketer estimates that 33.4 million South Koreans are online as of the end of 2005.
When it comes to estimating the current number of Taiwanese Internet users, two leading authorities differ by 10 million.
Both countries make eMarketer's Top 10 List for countries with broadband adoption.
In fact, as of a year ago, South Korea ranked first in the world in household penetration of broadband, and Taiwan was third.
The latest figures published by IDATE in December 2005, covering mid-2005, show that while the US has the largest base of broadband subscribers, South Korea is still the benchmark in broadband penetration with rates at roughly 25% (as a percentage of broadband access per 100 inhabitants), and the US ranked fifth at slightly under 15%.
If you are interested in more information on these two countries, and the region, read eMarketer's Asia-Pacific Wireless and Asia-Pacific E-Commerce: Spotlight on China, Japan and South Korea reports.