The Netherlands is showing one of the highest growth rates for access to the Internet and is now among the top four countries in Europe in terms of Internet penetration. Nearly 40% of all households in the country currently have connections via a PC, putting an estimated 6.8 million people online. A major reason for the boom in Internet use is the free access offered by Internet Service Providers. Leading Dutch broadcasters, websites and publishing groups have already selected Nielsen//NetRatings for critical Internet measurement information. They include NOS, the Dutch Public Broadcasting Company; De Telegraaf, Lycos and AltaVista. According to John Timman, sales & marketing director for ACNielsen eRatings.com in the Netherlands, " We are very pleased to be the first global Internet measurement service to introduce coverage in a market that will be very important to both local and international clients. " Worldwide, Nielsen//NetRatings is now available in 18 countries in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific, representing more than 80% of global Internet usage. This includes ten countries in Europe. Expansion will continue in 2001 toward the ultimate objective of Nielsen//NetRatings coverage in more than 30 countries, representing more than 90% of global Internet usage.