‘1bn internet users’ during December

More than one billion people accessed the internet during December 2008, marking a new record in online history.

That’s the claim from analysis firm comScore, which compiled the figures using its world metrix audience measurement service.

According to the firm’s data, Asia-Pacific made up 41 per cent of these visitors, with Europe following on 28 per cent and North America coming third on 18 per cent.

“[Reaching one billion users is] a monument to the increasingly unified global community in which we live and reminds us that the world truly is becoming more flat,” said comScore president and chief executive Magid Abraham.

“The second billion will be online before we know it, and the third billion will arrive even faster than that, until we have a truly global network of interconnected people and ideas that transcend borders and cultural boundaries.”

In terms of countries, China came top with 180 million users, or 18 per cent of the total, while the UK had a 3.6 per cent share.