Income is also a major factor determining internet usage. Uptake in the highest income class is approaching half the population (46% access, 40% regular users) whereas low income persons (6% and 4% respectively) run the risk of exclusion from the Information Society. Here, income is measured country-specific, i.e., relative to the respective national income distribution and not to a European distribution. It is closely related to SES ( socio-economic status) but remains an independent predictor when controlling for age, SES and education.