Asia to see more Net users than U.S.

Asia-Pacific will see more Internet subscribers than the United States by 2003, but the region will still lag in terms of access revenue. According to a Gartner report released Monday, Asia-Pacific is expected to have 183.3 million Internet subscribers in 2003, compared with 162.8 million in the United States. The figure in the region is expected to further increase to 248 million by 2005. However, Asia-Pacific's access revenue generated by these subscribers will still be lower than the United States--at least until 2010, the Gartner report said. "By 2005, the Asia-Pacific Internet access market will be worth $17.2 billion, whereas the United States will still have a distinct lead with $21.2 billion," Gartner said. Japan had the largest number of subscribers in the region last year, with a base of 24.4 million. This was followed by South Korea with 16.7 million, China with 14.6 million, and Taiwan with 4.6 million. CNET Singapore's Nawaz Marican reported from Singapore.