ABSTRACT

~The study examines the availability and use ofthe Internet Services in Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State. Survey research design was adoptedfor the study. Structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant data. Five himdted valid copies ofquestionnaires were administered to users ofInternet services in Umuahia Metropolis. Out of tits number, four hundred and thirteen valid copies of the questionnaires were returned. The data collected were analysed using simple percentages and hypotheses tested using Chi Square.The studyfound out that internet services were available in the study area Thefindings also show that internet availability and use is low in Umuahia Metiopolis Abia State. The findings show that most of the users were undergraduates Webbrowsing, E-mail and chatting dominated the services sought by the users ofinternetfacilities. Thefindings also revealed that the respondents used internet services for the provision of educational, research, news, business, communication, Job search, movies and internet crimes. The problems inhibiting availability and effective use ofinternet services in Umuahia metropolis were identified. They include amongst others irregular powersupply inadequate internet centres, poor maintenance ofinternetfacilities, lack ofsearch skill, cost ofuse of internet and darth of telecommunication infrastructure. The study recommends that there should be improvement in irregularpower supply inadequate internet centres, poor maintenance ofinternetfacilities, lack ofsearch skill, cost ofuse ofinternet and dearth oftelecommunication infrastructure. The study recommends that internet services centre owners should have generating sets since there is epilepticpower supply in Nigeria. There should also be adequate training in the use ofinternet services. Internet training should be part ofthe school curriculum, andworkshop organizedfor training civilservants in the use ofInternet services._