February 23rd we noted a new Pew survey on the growth of internet use between 2002 and 2005.

China up 9%

France up 17%

Germany up 13%

Great Britain up 24 %

The rise was not nearly so significant in developing economies in the Middle East, South America, Africa, Southern Asia and Eastern Europe. The six point gain in the US and three point rise in Canada are among the lowest measured in that interval.

The presumptive reason for slow growth in much of the world is poverty and government control. Since Canada and the US are number three and four on the list with 71% and 70% of citizens reporting at least occasional internet use, the presumptive reason in North America is saturation.

The same day we noted the Pew study, a Parks Associates survey of US households found that:

42% currently have broadband

4% plan to upgrade to broadband

18% do not plan to upgrade from narrowband to broadband

29% do not own a computer

2% have computers and intend to add internet access

4% say computers are too expensive to own at home

A negligible number say internet cost is a factor

5% would not subscribe to an internet service provider at any cost

Why?

Over 30% of those who have no intention of getting internet service at home say they have access on the job and that’s plenty. Nearly 20% say there is nothing on the internet that interests them.

This week, IT watchers The Register comment on the Parks Associates Study:

Internet usage in the US has flatlined, with a third of the country’s households stubbornly refusing to sign up. And don’t expect any sudden surges of interest – only two per cent of US citizens surveyed by Parks Associates plan to sign up this year.

This leaves 36 per cent of US households without an internet connection at home – and no intention of getting one, either.

So. Is this it? Is the slowdown in the growth of internet usage in North America a sign that nearly everyone who wants access already has it? Are the remaining holdouts offended by what’s on web? Or are they just not interested?

John Barrett, director of research at Parks Associates, said, “We are clearly facing a problem of demand, not supply. Computers and Internet service have never been cheaper, yet many households still show little enthusiasm for the technology.”

Some water cooler observers think this ceiling is set by people who find internet content offensive.

The Register wonders if a third of Americans don’t want internet providers at home, "not because they’re bad, but simply because they’re boring."