Internet users in Australia and New Zealand surf the web longer than their UK counterparts, according to a recent international study.

The survey, conducted by researcher Nielsen/NetRatings, reveals that the UK's 7.6 million internet users spend 27 minutes online every session. In contrast, Australia's six million web users spend 34 minutes online each session and New Zealand's 1.2 million surfers spend 29 minutes on the net.

Allen Weiner, vice president of analytical services at Nielsen/NetRatings, said: "This is due to Australia and New Zealand's recent efforts to institute decentralisation of phone services." This has lead to increased competition and lower phone prices, which has boosted internet use, he said.

Weiner believes that even with the proliferation of free ISPs in the UK, overall home use of the internet is low compared with the US and other nations. "Having to pay for local phone charges discourages very heavy use," he said.

The study says government-controlled phone companies have stunted internet growth because of the additional expenses incurred by net users.

In the UK, for example, users usually pay fees for each minute online, while web surfers in the US pay flat local phone rates. But in countries that recently loosened national control of telecoms systems, such as Australia and New Zealand, people are spending more time online.

"Of the global trends we're seeing, telecoms reform is one of the largest factors driving internet use," said Weiner.

The study also found that US portals such as Yahoo and MSN have made significant inroads into the global markets. MSN was the top domain in the UK, New Zealand and Australia, while Yahoo was the most visited website in Singapore and Ireland.

Weiner said local partnerships, such as MSN's alliance with the UK's Evening Standard newspaper, have helped establish an internet presence.

The report compared web use in the UK, Australia, Ireland, Singapore, New Zealand and the US, and found that most surfers are male. Net users in those countries during March ranged from as much as 60 per cent male in Singapore and 61 per cent male in the UK to 55 per cent male in New Zealand.