Internet Research Switzerland must redimension its plans

The "New Internet Research Switzerland" is not feasible as proposed in November 2005. Following the roundtable held on January 19, SRG and Wemf announced in a joint communiqué that the total costs of the proposed research model far exceed the current financial resources of the Swiss Internet industry. CHF 4.5 million had been earmarked to provide the tools for collecting Internet usage data. "The concept of the New Internet Research Switzerland with a standardization of the currency went in the right direction", said Wemf research director Harald Amschler to Werbewoche, but it proved to be too ambitious financially. The plan was to replace SRG's panel research, Wemf's Net-Audit and MAComis with Net-Metrix (Net-Profile, Net-Audit and Net-Tracking modules). The two tracks for the advertising market on the one hand and for program research on the other are to be set up and offered autonomously for the time being in order to reduce complexity. Further plans include staggering the development and optimizing costs. On January 19, it was also noted that the Internet community must also be represented in the sponsorship of the new NET-Metrix company to be founded alongside Wemf and SRG/Publica Data. The formation of an Internet association is also desirable, according to the press release.
A redimensioned offer to the internet community is to follow in March. The two largest internet marketers, AdLink and Web2Com, have been called in for the second round of bids and are supporting SRG and Wemf alongside two representatives of the "User Commission" working group.