The quarterly survey measures 10 variables to form a composite index reflecting Internet usage in Australia. For the June quarter this year the index displayed a negative result, indicating a drop-off in overall Internet usage, according to Brent Hughes, Research Director for the Market Intelligence Strategy Centre (MISC).
"It's really revealed it's past its peak," Hughes told ZDNet Australia. "The fact that 300,000 people stopped using the Internet in June is a reflection of that." Some areas of Internet usage, such as broadband and work use, may have increased, but this rise was offset by a decline in other areas.
However, at least one Internet service provider claims the alleged Internet bust has not affected its operations. David Bathur, a spokesperson for OzEmail, told ZDNet Australia that company hadn't experienced any downturn. "In our case, registrations are rising, and churn is at a low," he said. "In our experience Internet usage is on the increase."
Hughes said certain pockets of the Internet may have had a bumper quarter, but these did not completely offset the overall decline.
