Thai small businesses lead region in internet connectivity

dpa German Press Agency Published: Friday May 18, 2007

Singapore- Small and medium-sized businesses in Thailand
emerged on top in a survey regarding internet presence in South-east
Asian countries, a research firm's report said Friday.
The survey by Kadence Asia-Pacific focused on firms that employed
fewer than 200 people in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Australia.

More than 85 per cent of computers owned by small and medium-sized
enterprises in Thailand are linked to the web, according to the
findings.

Singapore was second with 77 per cent. Malaysia and the
Philippines had more than 70 per cent of such businesses with at
least one computer with an internet connection.

"Our research does highlight the reach of the internet across
Asia," The Business Times quoted Piers Lee, Kadence Asia-Pacific
managing director, as saying. "However, the insight also emphasizes
the discrepancies between business markets."

While India is well known for its information-technology industry,
the report said only 55 per cent of its small medium-sized businesses
have any connection to the web.

Indonesia emerged last in the survey at 50 per cent.

Most companies in Australia, Taiwan and Hong Kong use computers in
their day-to-day operations, and 95 per cent of them have access to
the internet, the report said.

The research was based on the number of operational computers
within an organization and how many of those computers were connected
to the internet.

© 2006 - dpa German Press Agency

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