The value of purchases made over the Internet is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2003, says a study by International Data Corporation.

The number of people making purchases on the Web will jump from 31 million in 1998 to 183 million in 2003, representing 36 per cent of all expected Internet users, says the market research company based in Framingham, Massachusetts.

IDC expects the growing number of international Web users to fuel these gains.

In 2003, the group says 65 per cent of Internet surfers will be outside the US, up from 56 per cent in 1998.

"Because of the increase in the number of people who make purchases over the Web (and) the growth of the average transaction size . . . Internet commerce will grow substantially," said Carol Glasheen of IDC.