WASHINGTON D.C. - The Ninth Edition of The Progress & Freedom Foundation's "Digital Economy Fact Book" was released today and is available on the PFF web site. The resource guide features an expanded section on international data, reflecting the global importance of the digital economy. The reference book was co-written by Stephen McGonegal, President of Independent Analysis, Inc., and PFF Research Associate Daniel B. Britton. Sam Eckman and Grant Eskelsen also provided extensive research assistance for the publication.

The Fact Book is considered by many to be vital source for objective statistics and information on the digital economy. Former NTIA Administrator Michael D. Gallagher, now President & CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, described the Digital Economy Fact Book as "the must-have, comprehensive guide to the state of the digital economy. At NTIA, we often relied on the book for the latest statistics and figures." Shane Tews, Senior Washington Representative for VeriSign, Inc., affirmed, "The Fact Book a great resource of e-commerce trends & facts that are hard to find anyplace else."

"This year's Fact Book maps out a lot of new ground on the digital landscape," explains co-author McGonegal. "The Internet is providing a fertile medium for an explosion of user-generated content--on blogs, social networking sites, digital videos, and even alternative virtual universes. The Book also tracks the continuing wireless revolution, as cell phones evolve from communications devices to complete digital entertainment centers."

This year's edition of the popular publication contains an expanded chapter on the worldwide digital economy. The section focuses on both global statistics and information from three important regions: Europe, China and India. The book also includes sections on hardware, communications, electronic commerce and digital media. The data and statistics included in the book are the most up to date available in the years 2006 to 2007.

The Ninth Edition of the "Digital Economy Fact Book" is available online at the PFF web site, as are the seventh most recent editions.

The Progress & Freedom Foundation is a market-oriented think tank that studies the digital revolution and its implications for public policy. It is a 501(c)(3) research & educational organization.