Internet saturation could be right around the corner - nearer than most have thought - and even before all American households are wired, according to a study by Dallas-based market research firm Parks Associates, reports Media Life (via MediaBuyerPlanner). Parks forecasts that internet penetration will increase this year from 63 percent of households to 64 percent; that is, only 2 million of the 39 million homes without internet access will go online in 2006.

Of the 1,000 homes surveyed, 29 percent did not have computers and stay away from the internet for differing reasons: 39 percent of them cited "other," not expanding their response; 31 percent have internet access at work; 18 percent did not have interest in the internet; and 8 percent did not know how to use it.

Internet adoption is leveling off because access cannot get much cheaper, with many services being free; therefore, the households abstaining from the internet do so because they do not see value in it, according to the director of research at Parks Associates, John Barrett.

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