• by October 16, 2000

The Internet ratings report for the month of September 2000 from Nielsen//NetRatings, shows that Internet penetration has reached critical mass for 21 of the top 35 Internet local markets during the month of September.

Seven months ago in March, only six Internet local markets had more than 50 percent Internet penetration.

Leading the way as the most wired city in September is San Francisco with 66% of households having access to the Internet from a personal computer at home. San Francisco was followed by Seattle, San Diego, Portland and Washington D.C., with four of the top five Internet local markets located on the West Coast.

Of the 20 Internet local markets that were measured in March, New York had the largest percentage gain in September, followed by Philadelphia, Denver and Houston.

Internet penetration in the South and Southwest have risen, including Atlanta, Dallas, Tampa, Miami, Houston and Phoenix.

"The Internet boom for cities across the U.S. in the past seven months signals a growth pattern of maturity for the Web. U.S. markets have developed beyond the western high technology region, and there is less of a digital divide between the west coast and the rest of the United States," said Allen Weiner, VP of analytical services, NetRatings.

"Low-cost computers and other plug and play Internet appliances have contributed to the significant rise in home Internet access for wired cities across the country."