Europe Surpasses North America In IM Users

[Spartan_X]

Europe Surpasses North America In Instant Messenger Users, comScore Study Reveals

London, April 10, 2006 ?b> comScore Networks, the leader in digital media measurement, today released the results of an analysis of instant messenger (IM) usage in various parts of the world. According to the study, eighty-two million people, or 49 percent of the European online population, used IM applications to communicate online in February. In comparison, sixty-nine million people in North America, or only 37 percent of the online population, used IM during the same timeframe. Interestingly, the analysis showed that IM is most heavily used in the Latin American region, with 64 percent of the online population using IM in February.

The MSN Messenger application has the strongest penetration worldwide, with 61 percent of worldwide IM users utilizing the application in February. MSN Messenger is also dominant in Latin America, reaching more than 90 percent of IM users, and in Europe and Asia Pacific, reaching more than 70 percent of IM users in each region. North America is the most competitive IM market, with MSN Messenger, AOL/Aim and Yahoo! Messenger each garnering between 27 percent and 37 percent of IM users in February.

Additional IM programs are gaining ground, especially outside of North America. Skype is now used by 14 percent of IM users worldwide, although this application is used by only 3 percent of the online population in North America. Skype appears most popular in Asia Pacific, reaching 26 percent of the region?s IM user populatioAbout comScore Networks

comScore provides unparalleled insight into consumer behaviour and attitudes. This capability is based on a massive, global cross-section of more than 2 million consumers who have given comScore explicit permission to confidentially capture their browsing and transaction behaviour, including online and offline purchasing. comScore panellists also participate in survey research that captures and integrates their attitudes and intentions. Through its patent-pending technology, comScore measures what matters across a broad spectrum of behaviour and attitudes. comScore consultants apply this deep knowledge of customers and competitors to help clients design powerful marketing strategies and tactics that deliver superior ROI. comScore services are used by global leaders such as AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Verizon, Best Buy, The Newspaper Association of America, Tribune Interactive, ESPN, Fox Sports, Nestl?, MBNA, Universal McCann, the United States Postal Service, Merck and Orbitz. For more information, please visit www.comscore.coContact::

Andrew Lipsman

comScore Networks

(312) 775-6510

press@comscore.Source:: http://www.comscore.com/press/release.asp?press=800

[Slimy]

I don't know why you posted this in nfn, but I'm happy I found it before I posted mine! I'll ask a mod to move it.

MSN Messenger Most Used IM Client

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

April 11, 2006, 2:06 PM

Analytics firm comScore Networks announced Monday the results of its February measurement of instant messenger usage around the world, with Europe surpassing the United States in IM users for the first time. MSN Messenger was also ranked as the most used client, garnering 61 percent of the worldwide market.

According to the survey, 82 million people in Europe use instant messaging software, amounting to 49 percent of the online population. In the United States only 69 million of people use IM, or 37 percent of the online population. Latin America had the highest IM penetration covering 64 percent of Web users.

MSN Messenger has a strong hold over the market thanks to 90 percent reach in Latin America and 70 percent in Europe and Asian Pacific markets. Microsoft's IM client is still neck and neck with AOL Instant Messenger in the United States, however, with Yahoo! Messenger trailing closely behind.

comScore also noted that new IM clients are beginning to gain a foothold outside of the U.S., with voice calling software Skype leading the charge. Skype is used by 14 percent of all instant messenger users worldwide, although that includes only three percent of the online population in the United States.

Asia Pacific has the most voice chatters, says comScore, with Skype being used by 26 percent of that region's active IM population.

http://www.betanews.com/article/MSN_Messen...ient/1144778820

And on a similiar note,

Skype Buys Internet Calling Company

By BetaNews Staff, BetaNews

April 11, 2006, 12:00 PM

eBay's Skype announced Tuesday plans to acquire start-up Sonorit Holding and its US subsidiary Camino Networks, which specializes in speech processing, coding, and transmission over the Internet. The technology is expected to be integrated into Skype's voice over IP calling services.

"We're excited about bringing the talented Camino Networks team to Skype," said Niklas Zennstrom, Skype CEO, in a statement. "They will add considerable expertise to our own world-class technology team." Sonorit will receive 700,000 shares of eBay stock in the transaction, which is valued at approximately $27 million.

http://www.betanews.com/article/Skype_Buys...pany/1144771227