Judging by the frequent government pronouncements throughout this region on the importance of high technology to their respective economies, it is also apparent that there is an appreciation of the Internet as an indispensable medium for business. With relatively little investment, the Internet can help open new markets, better exploit existing markets, streamline procurement and other business processes, lower the costs of doing business in storage, research and inventory, and increase the speed of work. On the consumer front, a thirst for knowledge and a desire to participate are major drivers, accompanied by a demonstrated willingness to accept, and more importantly pay for, high technology. This is only 8 percent lower than the average monthly bill of U.S. consumers. The fear of being left behind in the race to create stronger and more prosperous societies through Internet use is not the only motivator.
Many people also believe that the penalty for lagging is cultural or economic impoverishment.
All of these incentives are leading participants to look for ways to accelerate this growth. Although physical infrastructure issues are still a substantial barrier to the development of the Internet in China, China's accession to the WTO, expected later this year, is likely to provide a major stimulus. With the WTO membership, it will allow increased foreign participation in telecommunications development, resulting in higher investment and greater competition and driving costs lower. WTO entry also will give manufacturers of high-technology products more opportunities to use China's manufacturing base, helping to reduce the production and distribution costs of much of the equipment that consumers will use to access the Internet. Alternative access methods will also play a key role in facilitating Internet growth.